Former House Speaker Mike Johnson stayed on Friday re-elected for this position, gaining 218 votes, i.e exactly that muchhow much was the required absolute majority.
Republicans currently control the House by a margin of 219 to 215. Johnson's main rival Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries just won 215 votes.
The only one “rebel” among Republicans it turned out to be Thomas Massie from Kentucky who voted for Take Emmeraserving in Republican Party the so-called function majority whip – a politician who makes sure that all party members are present during key votes and point in line with the party's line.
Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Trump's support turned out to be crucial
Initially Johnson did not have the required majority of votes. Republicans Ralph Norman and Keith Self initially voted against him, however they changed their mind after negotiations. Six other congressmen refused to vote.
Johnson later swore that He didn't go to any concessions to the “rebels”. Self said he and Norman in the meantime had a conversation with the president elect Donald Trump.
Trump strongly supported Johnson, which he repeated on Friday before the vote and then congratulated him. “The nation (…) waited four years for… common sense, strength and leadership. Now he will get it, and America will be greater than ever!” Trump wrote about Johnson's election on Truth Social.
The Speaker of the House will focus on the security of the United States
Mike Johnson announced that when he leads the 119th Congress, he intends to be guided by the “America First” principle, “abandon the status quo” and take care of securing the borders.
The politician also promised drastic measures slimming down the state apparatus and strengthening the armed forces, he added that he intended to “strike fear again in the hearts of our enemies.”
– To the most dangerous moment since World War II, and the whole world is looking towards America and this body (Congress – ed.) to ensure peace is maintained – Johnson said.
He promised to cut spending in the budget. This is how Johnson tried to gain support
Johnson, hoping to gain Republican support, spent the New Year at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, where met with Donald Trump.
– We have no time to waste – said the politician then, warning against “constitutional crisis” in the absence of the Chairman of the Chamber.
Just before the vote, Johnson publicly committed to establishing a special group of independent experts to work with Elon Musk's DOGE commission on reducing budget expenses and eliminating waste of funds.
Johnson criticized for helping Ukraine and compromises with Democrats
Johnson, 52, a congressman from Louisiana, was named speaker of the House of Representatives in October 2023 after the Republican Party ousted his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, midway through his term. He was only elected then after a record 15 rounds of voting and the defeats of three better-known candidates.
Despite Trump's support, Johnson has been criticized by the extreme wing of the party for his alleged profligacy and multiple making compromises with democrats in budgetary matters, as well as for ensuring the passage of funds for help for Ukrainy.
Friday's voting has started 119th term of Congress. In the upcoming Monday both houses of parliament officially will approve the election results presidential.