New Speaker Mike Johnson projects unity after 3 weeks of chaos, expects 'aggressive' House schedule
Johnson received 220 votes with no Republicans voting against him.
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.
A look back at key moments:
- House passes resolution defending Israel under Speaker Johnson
- Schumer said he looks forward to working with Johnson in bipartisan way
- Biden says he'll work with Johnson
- House motion-to-vacate rules remain unchanged after Johnson elected speaker
- Johnson: 'We're going to dispense with all the usual ceremonies and celebrations'
Johnson calls winning speakership the 'honor of a lifetime'
Rep. Mike Johnson called it the "honor of a lifetime" to win the House speakership in a 220-209 vote after three weeks without a permanent speaker.
"Thank you to my colleagues, friends, staff, and family for the unmatched support throughout this process," he wrote in a statement posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
"It has been an arduous few weeks, and a reminder that the House is as complicated and diverse as the people we represent. The urgency of this moment demands bold, decisive action to restore trust, advance our legislative priorities, and demonstrate good governance. Our House Republican Conference is united, and eager to work."
Forecasting the work ahead, Johnson said he would work to "advance a comprehensive conservative policy agenda, combat the harmful policies of the Biden Administration, and support our allies abroad."
Johnson to be least experienced speaker in more than a century
Rep. Mike Johnson will be the least-experienced House speaker in more than a century.
Having only served in Congress since early 2017, Johnson has the least experience in Congress of any speaker in the last 140 years.
At 51 years old, he is also the third-youngest speaker since 1900.
-ABC News' Ben Siegel
Johnson elected speaker
Rep. Mike Johnson was elected the 56th speaker of the House of Representatives, winning every single Republican in the chamber.
He prevailed over House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a 220-209 vote.
Johnson appears to have enough votes to clinch speakership
Rep. Mike Johnson appears to have enough votes to win the House speakership, winning over the majority of voting members in the chamber.
Johnson hit the 215 votes needed, with no Republicans defecting thus far. Members have a chance to change their votes or cast ballots if they were not present once roll call ends.
Should he claim the gavel, Johnson's ascension to the speaker would cap an over three-week period since former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was booted and in which the House was essentially paralyzed.