January 3, 2025
After some drama — Mike Johnson has just won the first ballot and he will be the Speaker for the 119th congress.
Because – of course there would be drama.
Johnson could only lose two votes.
Initially – three House Republicans voted against Mike Johnson – but then after what we assume was some kind of deal — some negotiation, two of those three switched their votes to Johnson.
In the end – Mike Johnson got 218 votes and the Democrat’s leader Hakeem Jeffries got 215.
The Republicans who voted against Johnson included Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky – he voted for Tom Emmer. I reported yesterday that was going to happen. But what was a surprise was representatives Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Keith Self of Texas also voted for someone else. Norman and Self were the two who switched their votes back to Johnson in the end.
There was some additional drama during the actual voting because an additional six Republicans Andy Biggs of Arizona, Michael Cloud of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Andy Harris of Maryland and Chip Roy of Texas initially did not vote for Johnson – but then changed their minds and voted for him.
Here’s the thing – this drama may be an indication of what’s in store over these next two years. I have reported repeatedly – despite what people have said after this last election — the Republicans do not have an overwhelming majority in the House. They have one of the slimmest voting majorities in history. That means – we are going to likely see drama like this every single time anything controversial comes up for a vote.
Buckle up friends.
