This story was updated on January 3 at 12:20 p.m. PT.
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was reelected as Speaker of the House after receiving 218 votes.
Only one Republican voted against Johnson, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who voted for Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN). Reps. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Keith Self (R-TX) initially defected but switched their votes after meeting with Johnson.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) received 215 votes.
“No speaker is perfect, and no one will ever be. However, achieving perfection requires incremental gains and hard decisions along the way. None of us will get exactly what we want. The fundamental collective goal of this body is to make progress for the American people, in which we represent. And we have done just that under Mike’s leadership,” new Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-MI) said.
President-elect Donald Trump endorsed Johnson earlier this week.
“They ran a very expensive ‘sinking ship,’ embracing DOJ & FBI WEAPONIZATION against their political opponent, ME. BUT IT DIDN’T WORK, IT WAS A DISASTER!!! LETS NOT BLOW THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN,” he wrote on Truth Social. “The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration. Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!”
Johnson said he was “honored and humbled” by Trump’s support.
“Together, we will quickly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in the new golden age of America,” he wrote. “The American people demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let’s get to work!”
