Mike Johnson re-elected as US House speaker

WASHINGTON

Republican Mike Johnson was re-elected as US House Speaker on the first ballot in a 218-215 vote on Friday.

The newly-elected 119th US Congress began, with Republicans in full control of both chambers for the first time since 2019.

Following the official swearing in of new members, the first order of business in the House of Representatives was to elect a House speaker.

Right after the Nov. 5 election, Johnson was unanimously nominated by his party to retain the gavel.

However, Johnson was on track to fall short to be elected in first vote, after three Republicans —Reps. Thomas Massie, Ralph Norman, and Keith Self—had initially voted for other candidates for speaker, denying Johnson a majority.

Johnson left the floor with the Republicans who did not vote for him. Later, Reps. Norman and Self changed their votes to Johnson.

The final tally saw Johnson secure 218 votes, the Democrats' nominee Hakeem Jeffries garner 215, and Rep. Tom Emmer receive one vote.

Before presenting the gavel to Johnson, Jeffries said: "It's time for us to come together; not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans to get things done for the people."

After accepting the gavel, Johnson asked for a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans.

"This is a momentous time in the nation of the history, the history of our nation," Johnson said during his address to the House.

The new Congress will "listen to the voices of the people," he said.

"In recent months, we’ve witnessed something happening — something that’s really remarkable, a political moment in our modern history: A groundswell Americans from every state, race and religion who now demand that we put the interest of Americans first again," Johnson added.