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

Johnson received 220 votes with no Republicans voting against him.

Last Updated: October 25, 2023, 5:40 PM EDT

Rep. Mike Johnson was elected as the 56th speaker of the House Wednesday after three failed GOP tries. Unlike in previous ballots, every single Republican voted for him, giving him 220 votes.

The hard-liner and 2020 election denier said the House will have an “aggressive schedule in the days and weeks ahead.”

The House has faced a chaotic speakership battle that has dragged on for three weeks.

Oct 17, 2023, 1:33 PM EDT

McCarthy, ousted exactly 2 weeks ago, votes for Jordan

McCarthy, toppled by a small group of GOP hard-liners on Oct. 3, voted for Jordan to be his successor.

The moment was met with applause from the Republican side of the chamber.

But Jordan is still on track to lose on the first ballot, with 15 Republicans casting a vote for someone else.

Former Speaker of the House Rep. Kevin McCarthy walks to the House chambers ahead of today's planned vote for Speaker of the House in the House of Representatives at the Capitol, Oct. 17, 2023.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Oct 17, 2023, 1:14 PM EDT

Jordan already falls short of vote needed

The vote is ongoing, but Jordan does not appear to have the support needed to win on the first ballot.

At least five Republicans have voted for someone else.

Two lawmakers, Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Rep. Lori Chavez-Deremer of Oregon voted for McCarthy. Anthony D’Esposito voted for former Rep. Lee Zeldin., Rep. Mario Diaz Balart of Florida voted for Steve Scalise. Rep. Jake Ellzey voted for fellow Republican Rep. Mike Garcia.

PHOTO: Rep. Jim Jordan, the top contender in the race to be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives, stands at the back wall of the House Chamber before the start of the first round of voting for a new Speaker at the Capitol, Oct. 17, 2023.
Rep. Jim Jordan, the top contender in the race to be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives, stands alone at the back wall of the House Chamber shortly before the start of the first round of voting for a new Speaker at the Capitol, Oct. 17, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Oct 17, 2023, 1:02 PM EDT

The math behind the speaker vote

There are 432 members in attendance for the upcoming vote to elect a speaker, according to the quorum call.

That means that 217 is the majority threshold needed to win the gavel, presuming every member in attendance votes for someone by name.

Jordan can only afford to lose three votes.

The speaker vote began shortly before 1 p.m.

Oct 17, 2023, 1:00 PM EDT

Democrats nominate Hakeem Jeffries, slam Jordan's record

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., nominated House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for speaker.

Aguilar focused much of his remarks on Jordan's record, noting that one of Jordan's own colleagues once described him as a "legislative terrorist."

"When New Yorkers were recovering from Hurricane Sandy and needed Congress to act, he said 'no,'" Aguilar said. "When wildfires ravaged the west, destroying homes and businesses and those residents needed disaster assistance, he said 'no.' When the Mississippi river floods devastated the south in communities across state lines and needed Congress to act, he said 'no.' When our veterans were suffering from disease and dying as a result of their service to our country and Congress passed a bipartisan solution, he said 'no.'"

Democrats seated behind Aguilar responded to each example with the chant, "He said no."

"This body is talking about elevating a speaker nominee who has not passed a single bill in 16 years," Aguilar said. "These are not the actions of someone interested in governing or bettering the lives of everyday Americans."

Rep. Pete Aguilar nominated his Democratic colleague to be the next speaker of the House.
1:48
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries nominated for House speakerRep. Pete Aguilar nominated his Democratic colleague to be the next speaker of the House.
ABCNews.com

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