Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) was the one Home Republican to vote towards Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) whereas two different GOP lawmakers in the end flipped their votes after initially backing others, paving the best way for Johnson to retain the gavel.
Massie voted for Home Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) within the first spherical of the Speakership vote, following by on his promise to oppose the Louisiana member.
However Johnson was capable of clinch the highest publish within the decrease chamber after Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) switched their votes. Norman initially first backed Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), whereas Self supported Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.).
A bunch of hardline conservatives reserved their assist for Johnson till the Home ground vote on Friday, and a half-dozen stayed silent throughout the first roll name, earlier than supporting Johnson on second cross.
Following Self and Norman’s choice to flip their votes, Home members began shaking Johnson’s hand as he’s now set to be sworn in because the Speaker of the 119th Congress.
President-elect Trump started publicly lobbying for Johnson within the days earlier than the vote.
Solely Massie was unmoved, arguing that Johnson was less than the job, and would in the end value Republicans the Home majority in 2026.
“[We] want a Speaker who inspires the public and who can make our case in the media, so we can keep the majority for the second half of Trump’s term,” Massie wrote on Tuesday.
