Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) achieved a decisive first-ballot victory to retain the gavel in the House of Representatives, overcoming internal GOP tensions on the opening day of the new Congress. Initially lacking full 218-vote support due to dissent from hardline Republicans, Johnson secured the necessary votes after strategic negotiations on the House floor. The re-election is a major win for both Johnson and President-elect Donald Trump, who endorsed him and rallied GOP members to avert potential delays in congressional operations.
Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Keith Self (R-Texas) voted for other candidates. But the chamber held the vote open as Johnson conferred with his opponents and Norman and Self switched their votes to applause in the chamber. In the end, Massie was the only Republican to vote for a candidate other than Johnson when he supported Tom Emmer of Minnesota.
Johnson’s victory highlights his political maneuvering and ability to unite a fractious Republican majority, though challenges remain. He faces pressure to balance Trump’s priorities with those of his caucus, as fiscal debates and intra-party divisions loom. The Speaker’s renewed term sets the stage for contentious policymaking in a narrowly divided Congress.
In a post on X minutes before the floor election started, Johnson said he would:
“1. Create a working group comprised of independent experts — not corrupted by lobbyists and special interests – to work with DOGE and our committees on implementing recommended government and spending reforms to protect the American taxpayer.
“2. Task that working group with reviewing existing audits of federal agencies and entities created by Congress — and issuing a report to my office for public release.
“3. Request House committees undertake aggressive authorizations and appropriations reviews, including providing additional resources where needed, to expose irresponsible or illegal practices and hold agencies/individuals accountable that have weaponized government against the American people.”