Saturday, 28 December 2024

House Republicans Announce Speaker Nominee After Internal Elections


House Republicans backed Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) to continue as speaker in a unanimous vote on Wednesday.

Despite the threat of nominating a challenger, multiple sources told Fox News Digital Johnson gained unified support after President Trump addressed House Republicans.

Trump reportedly said he was “100%” behind Johnson.

“Thank you, President @realDonaldTrump for joining House Republicans this morning. Our strong @HouseGOP majority is looking forward to advancing your agenda that puts the American people FIRST! As you said, we will unify and get it done!” Johnson said Wednesday.

Fox News reports:

It’s been a meteoric rise for the Louisiana Republican, who was a relatively little-known lawmaker when he was elected to succeed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., after he was ousted by all House Democrats and eight fellow Republicans.

Johnson has endured much of the same chaos as McCarthy while presiding over a razor-thin House majority, with GOP rebels weaponizing the small margin in efforts to force the conference to pass more conservative policy.

But Johnson did not face any significant challengers on Wednesday, nor was he expected to with House Republicans on track to hold onto the chamber majority in the 119th Congress.

It could be a different story in January, when he will need a majority of the entire House chamber to be elected speaker.

“I’m humbled and honored to have been unanimously selected again by my Republican colleagues to serve as Speaker of the House. We stand united, determined, and ready to deliver the America First Agenda,” Johnson said.

WATCH:

Per Roll Call:

House Republicans on Wednesday selected Michigan Rep. Lisa McClain as the next Republican Conference chair, bringing a whirlwind race for the conference’s fourth-ranking leadership post to a close.

The pick came during an hourslong meeting in which House Republicans unanimously nominated Mike Johnson, R-La., for speaker, signaling a sharp shift from recent divisive battles over who would hold the gavel.

McClain, who currently serves as conference secretary of the House GOP, beat out Florida Rep. Kat Cammack to win the position. She will replace New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, who served two terms as conference chair and is now poised to be President-elect Donald Trump’s next ambassador to the United Nations.

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., praised the process. “There wasn’t a lot of friction — that’s a good thing.”

Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota also sailed to reelection on Wednesday and will continue to serve in their positions during the 119th Congress.

Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina won a second term as chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern defeated Alabama Rep. Gary Palmer in the race for policy committee chairman. Palmer had previously served three terms in the role.


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