The 119th Congress convenes for the first time on Friday, and House Speaker Mike Johnson is once again fighting for his political life.
The Louisiana Republican has the support of President-elect Donald Trump, but it will be up to House Republicans to decide whether to re-elect him as speaker. Far-right Republicans have sometimes grown dissatisfied with Johnson’s leadership and tend to demand concessions when their votes are essential.
Mr. Johnson’s failure could throw into turmoil Monday’s congressional certification of Mr. Trump’s 2024 election victory in the absence of the House speaker.
Here’s the latest information:
Chairman election has begun
House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain has begun the speaker race by nominating Mike Johnson to be speaker of the 119th Congress.
Also read | U.S. House of Representatives begins leadership vote to test the unity of President Trump’s Republican Party
What happens next?
1. Recommendation
Once the House has a quorum, that is, the minimum number of members present to proceed, a nomination speech is given on behalf of the speaker candidate. Republicans chose Johnson as speaker in a secret vote in November. A week later, Democrats unanimously elected Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York to remain their leader despite his election loss.
2. Voting
Lawmakers call the names of their chosen speakers from the chamber, an infrequent and time-consuming roll call. Members often liven up proceedings by shouting or standing up when voting. Members of Congress are not obligated to vote for their own party’s nominee. Any name can be called from the chamber. Traditionally, but not necessarily, the speaker is a member of the House of Commons.
3. Results
If Mr. Johnson does not receive enough votes, the clerk is likely to immediately begin a roll call vote. If the candidate for chair receives a majority of those present and voting, a bipartisan committee, usually made up of members from the chosen candidate’s home state, conducts the election for chair up to the chair on the podium where the oath of office is taken. will be escorted.
Want to take a selfie with the next speaker?
With Johnson’s political fate at stake, members are using the time to take selfies with the Louisiana Republican.
Republican lawmakers brought their babies, grandchildren and siblings to take photos with the speaker before the House begins its reelection vote.
Voting for Speaker of the House will begin soon.
The next chair must receive a majority of the votes. If not, voting continues until someone meets that threshold.
Two years ago, it took Kevin McCarthy 15 votes to garner enough support to get the gavel.
Those who voted won the November election, but cannot be sworn in until a new speaker is elected.
colors of the political spectrum
New and returning MPs wore their best gear on Sunday for the first day of the new parliament, with many women sticking to their party’s traditional colors.
Republican lawmakers’ red ties and dresses could be seen strewn across the House floor, while Democratic women across the aisle were styling themselves in various shades of blue.
How many votes does Johnson need to win?
Mr Johnson lost seats in November’s election and now holds one of the smallest majorities in modern times, at 220 to 215.
The sudden resignation of Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz has reduced the number of members to 220.
That leaves him relying on the support of nearly all Republicans in the face of Democratic opposition, although the normally required majority of 218 members could swing depending on who was absent or who voted only “present.” be.
The 118th Congress has ended
Before the speaker election began, Speaker Mike Johnson declared the 118th Congress closed at the beginning of Friday’s session.
On his way to the House floor earlier, he was asked by reporters whether he would be elected speaker in the first round.
“I hope so. Let’s see,” he said.
The House of Representatives is in a festive mood ahead of the speaker’s vote
Lawmakers are rushing to the House chamber for the opening of the 119th Congress. The first order of business there is to convene a quorum, followed by a roll call vote to elect the next chair.
So far, many members of Congress have brought their children to the House chamber to learn about history, creating a festival-like atmosphere.
The situation will become even more serious when a chairperson vote is held.
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has the support of President-elect Donald Trump, but he will face little resistance from the Republican side if he wants to return to the gavel.
Pelosi arrives at the House of Representatives
As the new Congress begins to assemble, Democratic lawmakers stand and applaud as Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi enters the House.
The former speaker recently suffered a fall while attending an event with other lawmakers in Luxembourg and underwent hip replacement surgery at a US military hospital in Germany.
The former Speaker carefully walked to his seat in the center of the chamber. Several colleagues hurried to greet her.
Lawmakers begin gathering in the House chamber ahead of the speaker’s election
New and returning members of Congress roamed the chamber, posing for selfies with children and families, ahead of several hours of debate within the Republican Party over who would choose speaker.
Mr Johnson may not receive the full support he needs.
Mr Johnson lost seats in November’s election and now holds one of the smallest majorities in modern times, at 220 to 215. That leaves him relying on nearly every Republican for support in the face of Democratic opposition.
Here are some Republicans who have indicated they may vote against him:
Take a look at some of the history-making members of Congress scheduled to be sworn in today
The opening of the new parliament will depend on the election of the speaker, but on that day, a list of history-making members will also be gathered.
Two Black women, Lisa Blunt Rochester (Delaware) and Angela Alsobrooks (Maryland), will be sworn into the Senate, making it the first time in U.S. history that two Black women will be sworn in at the same time. It will be.
New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim also made history as the first Korean American to serve in the chamber.
In the House of Commons, Sarah McBride becomes the first openly transgender person in Congress.
And Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, who recently suffered a fall and had a hip replacement overseas, will return to Washington in person to remind her of the power she wielded the last time Democrats had a majority. Become.
Have there ever been any vacancies for speakers?
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, the chair has only been vacant 13 times in U.S. history. He was not removed from office until eight Republicans joined with Democrats to oust McCarthy.
Barring these instances, the speaker is usually elected at the beginning of a new parliament and serves in that capacity for the entire two-year term.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s message to resistance: ‘We don’t have time for drama’
House Speaker Mike Johnson entered the Capitol on Friday morning feeling optimistic about his chances of being re-elected speaker by the time of the session, despite growing discontent among members of his far-right party.
Asked by a reporter what his message was to the resistance, the Louisiana Republican said, “We need to come together,” adding that the speaker’s election “isn’t about one person, it’s about America’s mission, which is our mandate. “This is to advance the number one issue,” he added. Moved forward by the American people. ”
Mr Johnson denied making any backroom deals.
“There is no quid pro quo here. I will do nothing in exchange for your vote other than to commit to making this institution work as effectively and efficiently as possible,” he said.
Trump wishes Johnson the best of luck
President-elect Donald Trump called the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives a “great person with great ability” and wished him well on Friday, when the new Congress convenes and Republican lawmakers decide whether to re-elect Mike Johnson as leader. I prayed.
President Trump endorsed the Louisiana Republican earlier this week, but it’s unclear whether that support will be enough. Trump said Johnson was “very close to 100% support,” but some on the far right have criticized Johnson’s leadership and handling of funding struggles, including recent short-term spending bills. This is causing dissatisfaction.
“Mike’s win today will be a huge win for the Republican Party,” President Trump posted on Truth Social.
What the speakership race means for Trump
Mr. Johnson’s weak grip on the gavel threatens not only his own survival but also Mr. Trump’s ambitious agenda of tax cuts and mass deportations with Republicans in power in Washington.
Johnson’s failure could throw Trump’s 2024 election victory certification in Congress on Monday into chaos in the absence of a speaker.
Mr Johnson has the slimmest majority in modern times, lost his seat in November’s election and relies on nearly every Republican for support, with little vote leeway.
Selection of speakers
Choosing a speaker is the first order of business for the U.S. House of Representatives after the new Congress begins at noon. This is a vote that members take before they are sworn into office.
The House of Representatives cannot be organized until the Speaker assumes office, as the Speaker effectively functions as the Speaker of the House and the administrative head of the institution. The House of Representatives may elect a new Speaker at any time if the person in that role dies, resigns, or is removed from office.
