Mike Johnson reelected as Speaker amid Republican Party divisions
3 Min Read
Johnson's reelection comes as the House faces a packed agenda, including advancing Trump's policies on tax cuts and border security and addressing the looming debt ceiling crisis.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks after being re-elected as the House of Representatives meets to elect a speaker and convene the new 119th Congress at the Capitol in Washington, on Friday, January 3, 2025. (AP)
The US House of Representatives reelected Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday after a drawn-out vote that underscored deep divisions within the Republican Party.
Johnson secured his position with exactly 218 votes, the minimum required, after extended negotiations persuaded two GOP holdouts to change their votes.
The vote served as a significant test for the Republican Party, which holds a narrow 219-215 majority in the House, as it seeks to advance former President Donald Trump's legislative priorities.
Trump endorsed Johnson earlier in the week, declaring online that "A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party."
A Divided GOP
Johnson, a representative from Louisiana, has faced challenges in uniting the party since he was first elevated to the speakership in October 2023, following Kevin McCarthy's ouster.
Republicans spent weeks in turmoil before settling on Johnson as a consensus candidate, but intraparty tensions remain evident.
The vote on Friday reflected those divisions. Members lingered in the chamber for over half an hour after voting concluded, while Johnson and his allies worked to persuade dissenting Republicans to support him.
Ultimately, two members switched their votes, securing his victory.
Legislative Challenges Ahead
Johnson's reelection comes as the House faces a packed agenda, including advancing Trump's policies on tax cuts and border security and addressing the looming debt ceiling crisis.
The federal government is already more than $36 trillion in debt, and Republicans are expected to push for substantial spending reductions.
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The speaker has also had to face tensions between Trump's demands and legislative practicality.
Last month, Trump urged House Republicans to block a government funding deal unless it included a debt ceiling increase.
Johnson moved forward with a revised bill that excluded Trump's demand, relying on more Democratic than Republican votes to avoid a government shutdown.
Rule Changes to Strengthen Leadership
To secure his position, Johnson proposed changes to the "motion to vacate" rule, which allows members to call for a speaker's removal.
Under the new proposal, nine majority members would need to agree before such a vote could be triggered. The rule change aims to prevent the kind of chaos that led to McCarthy's removal.
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On the same day, Republicans took control of the Senate with a 53-47 majority.
Senator John Thune succeeded Mitch McConnell as the party's leader, marking a shift in GOP leadership.
My Republican colleagues have trusted me to lead our party – and the Senate – in the next Congress, and I will work every day to be worthy of that trust. pic.twitter.com/jXpyb8mGGQ
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) January 3, 2025
