Rep. Mike Johnson was elected by the House to become the next speaker as Republicans rallied behind their fourth nominee to replace former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Johnson was able to afford only a few defections of his Republican colleagues in the chamber vote. However, unlike previous candidates, his party did not decamp from him.
He received 220 votes and needed 217 for him to be elected speaker.
Hakeem Jeffreys, the Minority Leader of the House, continued to be a favorite among Democrats. He received 209 votes from Democrats.
Johnson won the nomination of his party late on Tuesday with three members voting in spite of several absentees. Johnson’s support has increased in the few hours since Tuesday.
Johnson received support from former president Trump who backed the GOP nominee and urged Republicans to “get things done fast” before a possible vote on House Speaker.
