New Speaker Johnson projects unity, expects 'aggressive' schedule

Johnson received 220 votes with no Republicans voting against him.

Last Updated: October 25, 2023, 5:40 PM EDT

Rep. Mike Johnson was elected as the 56th speaker of the House Wednesday after three failed GOP tries. Unlike in previous ballots, every single Republican voted for him, giving him 220 votes.

The hard-liner and 2020 election denier said the House will have an “aggressive schedule in the days and weeks ahead.”

The House has faced a chaotic speakership battle that has dragged on for three weeks.

Oct 25, 2023, 3:41 PM EDT

Biden says he'll work with Johnson

President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he plans to work with newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson.

"As I said when this process began, whoever the Speaker is, I will seek to work with them in good faith on behalf of the American people," he said in a statement. "That's a principle I have always held to, and that I've acted on -- delivering major bipartisan legislation on infrastructure, outcompeting China, gun reform, and veterans care."

"Even though we have real disagreements about important issues, there should be mutual effort to find common ground wherever we can. This is a time for all of us to act responsibly, and to put the good of the American people and the everyday priorities of American families above any partisanship."

Biden also separately said he does not believe that Johnson would seek to overturn the results of the 2024 election after he voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential race.

"Look, just like I was not worried that the last guy would overturn the election," Biden said when pressed by reporters Wednesday. "They have about 60 lawsuits all the way to the Supreme Court, and every time they lost. I understand the Constitution."

The White House said Biden called Johnson Wednesday afternoon "to congratulate him on his election, and expressed that he looks forward to working together to find common ground on behalf of the American people."

Oct 25, 2023, 3:37 PM EDT

House motion-to-vacate rules remain unchanged after Johnson elected speaker

The motion-to-vacate rules of the House of Representatives haven't changed since Rep. Mike Johnson became speaker, meaning he's still at risk of having one member trigger a vote to oust him.

The rule will force Johnson, like former Speaker Kevin McCarthy before him, to walk a tightrope, placating his Republican colleagues while moving forward on legislation in cooperation with a Democratic-controlled Senate and White House.

That balancing act could face its first challenge next month, when Congress will have to find a way to fund the government and prevent a shutdown.

House speaker-elect Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., is congratulated by fellow members after he was elected as the new House speaker, at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 25, 2023.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Oct 25, 2023, 3:33 PM EDT

Johnson: 'We're going to dispense with all the usual ceremonies and celebrations'

Newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson said the House would "dispense with all the usual ceremonies and celebrations" after his promotion, which ended three weeks without a speaker in the House of Representatives.

"The American people's business is too urgent in this moment," he said on the steps of the Capitol.

Johnson projected unity and tried to demonstrate that the deep divisions of the House Republican conference are suddenly healed.

“We're in the majority right now. We've gone through a little bit of suffering. We've gone through a little bit of character building. And you know what it's produced? More strength, more perseverance, and a lot of hope. And that's what're about to deliver to the American people,” Johnson said on the House steps.

Johnson said the House will have an “aggressive schedule in the days and weeks ahead.”

The first order of business is passing a resolution to support Israel, he said.

“I'm so grateful and so humbled to have got a unanimous vote on the floor by all of my colleagues here. We went through a lot to get here but we are ready to govern and that will begin right away,” Johnson said.

Meanwhile, Johnson took no questions from reporters at his first press conference.

Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Steve Scalise each spoke highly of Mike Johnson at the beginning of the press conference.

-ABC's Lauren Peller and Tal Axelrod

After 22 days without a House speaker, Republicans finally elected Mike Johnson to fill the vacancy.
14:46

Newly elected House speaker addresses the chamber

After 22 days without a House speaker, Republicans finally elected Mike Johnson to fill the vacancy.
ABCNews.com
Oct 25, 2023, 3:11 PM EDT

Trump takes credit for Johnson win in speaker election

Former President Donald Trump took credit Wednesday for Speaker Mike Johnson's ascension to his new post atop the House of Representatives.

"So, at this time yesterday, nobody was thinking of Mike and then we put out the word and now he's speaker of the House, so I wanted to thank all of the supporters that I have and I wanna thank all of the supporters Mike has, and again he will be a great speaker," Trump said Wednesday.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa

Related Topics