New Speaker Mike Johnson projects unity after 3 weeks of chaos, expects 'aggressive' House schedule

Jordan's actions leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack have been under scrutiny in his run for speaker.

Colorado Rep. Ken Buck, one Republican holdout, has pointed to Jordan's past comments about the 2020 election and Jan. 6.

Buck told ABC News on Monday, "I think Jim at some point If he is going to lead this conference … is going to have to be strong and say Donald Trump didn't win the election, and we need to move forward. Hopefully, you know, for Republicans, we get a Republican candidate in the White House."

ABC News pushed Jordan on that point ahead of the vote.

"I have been very clear about that," he responded. "There were states that unconstitutionally changed our election law and that's what I objected to, as did the vast, vast majority of Republican members of Congress."

Asked if he would acknowledge that Trump lost the 2020 election, Jordan appeared to hear the question but did not respond and got onto the elevator. Two hours later, another reporter asked the same question and Jordan ignored it.

Jordan spent the final hours meeting with GOP holdouts and working the phones ahead of the noon vote. There are still at least 10 holdouts and several members who have not said publicly how they will vote.

"We are going to find out here pretty soon," Jordan told ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott when asked if he has enough support to get elected.

Minutes before the House opens for business, the gallery of the House chamber is filling up with more than 200 tourists and other visitors to the Capitol as journalists begin to settle into the press galleries and lawmakers arrive on the floor.

Among the first members on the floor is Republican Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, who is using a walker as he recovers from a major operation after sustaining a hip injury farming. Lucas took a seat in the back near the aisle, chatting briefly with Republican Rep. Randy Weber of Texas.

Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson, who is rumored to be mulling his own bid for speaker if Jordan fails, is seated at the GOP leadership table. He walked over to the center aisle to talk with Colorado Democrat Joe Neguse.

Michigan Democrat Dan Kildee is seated behind the Democrat leadership table. Neguse is now seated there, chatting with his colleague. Rep. Debbie Dingel of Michigan is also seated on the Democratic side, scrolling through her phone.

Tennessee Republican Andy Ogles is the first of the Freedom Caucus members to stake their usual spot along the center aisle.

Here's the timing for what we expect for the first round of speaker votes this afternoon:

• The clerk (Kevin McCumber, acting clerk) calls the House of Representatives to order at noon EST.
• Prayer led by Margaret Grun Kibben -- the first female chaplain of the House.
• Pledge of Allegiance led by the House clerk.
• Quorum call is ordered by the clerk. Members are called to vote electronically by state. At this point, we will hear the official number of lawmakers present and voting.
• Election for speaker with nominations made by selected lawmakers. Typically, one lawmaker from each party is nominated -- in this case, Jordan is the Republican nominee and Jeffries is the Democratic nominee. House Republican Conference chairwoman Elise Stefanik will nominate Jordan; House Democratic Caucus chairman Pete Aguilar will nominate Jeffries.
• Debate on the nomination of candidates for speaker is allowed but not customary.
• “Tellers” are appointed to count “viva voce” voice votes, usually two members from each side of the aisle. A “viva voce” vote is one spoken aloud. The (usually) four tellers take a seat at the dais and tally votes on paper.
• Roll is then called by the House reading clerk with members calling out the last name of their chosen speaker; the clerk repeats the choice so everyone hears it. This could take up to one hour.
• The House clerk announces the results; appoints an escort committee to formally escort the new Speaker-elect into the chamber.

If the first round fails, the process is restarted. The House might recess immediately so members could meet behind closed doors in conference.