Johnson wins dramatic reelection as speaker after 2 GOP hard-liners switch votes

The Republican holdouts changed their votes after calls from Donald Trump.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Lauren Peller, John Parkinson, and Arthur Jones II
Last Updated: January 3, 2025, 2:42 PM EST

In some high-stakes political drama, the House of Representatives on Friday voted to reelect House Speaker Mike Johnson to lead the 119th Congress by a razor-thin margin.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who ascended to the leadership post in 2023 after the historic ouster of Kevin McCarthy, had secured President-elect Donald Trump's support as he sought a second term.

But Johnson's handling of the government spending fight just before Christmas angered some of the GOP's right flank. Three Republicans initially defected from Johnson during the vote, but two ultimately changed their votes to hand him the gavel.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news developed:
Jan 03, 2025, 3:19 PM EST

Johnson handed speaker's gavel

After nearly 20 minutes of remarks, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries passed the gavel to Johnson.

In some high-stakes political drama, the House of Representatives on Friday voted to reelect House Speaker Mike Johnson to lead the 119th Congress.
18:26

Mike Johnson addresses the 119th Congress following speaker vote

In some high-stakes political drama, the House of Representatives on Friday voted to reelect House Speaker Mike Johnson to lead the 119th Congress.
ABCNews.com

"I'm grateful for this election, the confidence that this chamber has placed in me," Johnson said. "It is the great honor of my life to serve this body with all of you."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries shakes hands with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson after presenting him with the gavel during the first day of the 119th Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 3, 2025.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Rep. Mike Johnson holds the gavel after being presented it by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries after being re-elected as Speaker of the House on the first day of the 119th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 3, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Jan 03, 2025, 3:09 PM EST

Jeffries says Democrats want bipartisanship but will fight 'far-right extremism'

Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, addressed the chamber just after Johnson's victory.

Jeffries began by urging bipartisanship in the new Congress to address issues top of mind for Americans like high prices on everything from groceries to childcare costs.

But Jeffries said at the same time, Democrats would "push back against far-right extremism whenever necessary."

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries speaks after Rep. Mike Johnson was re-elected as Speaker of the House on the first day of the 119th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 3, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Democrats frequently cheered during his remarks, though Republicans broke out in applause when he said the American people elected Trump as the 47th president.

"Thank you for that very generous applause," Jeffries said before taking a swipe at some of his GOP colleagues. "It's okay. There are no election deniers on our side of the aisle."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke on the floor of the House following a vote to reelect House Speaker Mike Johnson to lead the 119th Congress.
10:27

Hakeem Jeffries addresses the 119th Congress following speaker vote

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke on the floor of the House following a vote to reelect House Speaker Mike Johnson to lead the 119th Congress.
ABCNews.com
Jan 03, 2025, 2:41 PM EST

Johnson wins speakership on 1st round after last-minute vote changes

Johnson staved off a failure in the first round of voting to win a second term as speaker.

After nearly two hours, Johnson secured the 218 necessary votes.

Rep. Mike Johnson shakes hands with Representatives after he re-elected as the Speaker of the House on the first day of the 119th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 3, 2025.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

At first, he appeared on track to lose with three Republicans voting for someone else.

But after leaving the chamber to huddle with defectors, two lawmakers changed their votes to hand him the gavel.

House Republicans stood and gave Johnson a standing ovation as his win was announced.

Rep. Mike Johnson is applauded after he was re-elected as the Speaker of the House on the first day of the 119th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 3, 2025.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Jan 03, 2025, 2:33 PM EST

Two GOP defectors change their vote to Johnson

Reps. Ralph Norman and Keith Self changed their votes to Johnson, which would bring him to the 218 needed to be speaker.

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