Representative Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, left, speaks with Representative Kat Cammack, a Republican from Florida, outdoors of a House Republican caucus assembly on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.
Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Republican Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana was elected speaker of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, ending a three-week management disaster that has paralyzed Congress.
Vice chairman of the House Republican convention and a hard-right conservative, Johnson had maintained a low public profile till he was thrust into the spotlight this week after securing the occasion’s nomination for speaker.
Johnson was elected unanimously by the 220 Republicans who voted, regardless of being the fourth nominee tapped by the GOP convention in two weeks, as the deeply divided occasion repeatedly did not put ahead a candidate who had sufficient assist.
Every Democrat who voted Wednesday forged their poll for Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.
Johnson managed to rally the GOP convention behind his bid after recalcitrant Republicans rejected the three earlier nominees — House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota.
Johnson’s bid acquired a lift Wednesday from former President Donald Trump, who inspired Republicans to vote for the Louisianan.
He additionally consolidated the backing of a number of moderate New York Republicans who had been reluctant to assist a few of the extra hardline conservatives who sought the prime job.
Johnson, who’s serving his fourth time period in Congress, will wield the gavel as America faces a looming authorities shutdown, Israel wages battle on Hamas, and Ukraine struggles to beat again Russia’s invasion.
The House must move spending laws by Nov. 17 to maintain the authorities working, and President Joe Biden has referred to as on Congress to approve emergency safety help for Israel and Ukraine.
Johnson voted towards laws in September that has saved the authorities working by November, and he has opposed help for Kyiv in the previous. The Louisiana Republican stated earlier this month that the House must take all needed motion to assist Israel destroy Hamas.
Johnson is a staunch social conservative who participated in Republican efforts to overturn Biden’s 2020 election victory.
He filed a legal brief in assist of a lawsuit that sought to dam the certification of Biden’s victories in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Johnson then supported objections in Congress to the certification Arizona’s and Pennsylvania’s 2020 presidential outcomes.
Johnson additionally served on Trump’s authorized group throughout the former president’s first impeachment.
He beforehand did authorized work for the Alliance Defense Freedom, an ultraconservative advocacy group that litigates to limit abortion entry and prohibit same-sex marriage.
This is a growing story. Please verify again for updates.