Democracy Dies in Darkness
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) was elected and sworn in as House speaker on Oct. 25, following a weeks-long stalemate over the speakership. (Video: JM Rieger/The Washington Post, Photo: Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

Rep. Mike Johnson elected speaker, breaking weeks-long stalemate

1 min

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) was elected speaker Wednesday by the full House on a first vote. Johnson, a relatively unknown, staunchly conservative Republican, succeeds Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), whose ouster this month was led by hard-right members of the party. The House GOP previously picked three higher-profile nominees, none of whom could win over Republican holdouts and secure a majority vote. Johnson is an ally of former president Donald Trump and opposed certifying the 2020 election. He is antiabortion, voted against Ukraine aid and supports LGBTQ restrictions.

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Johnson received votes from all 220 Republicans present. Democrats nominated Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as speaker. He received votes from all 209 Democrats present.
“The people’s house is back in business,” Johnson said in remarks in the House chamber following his election. He thanked Republicans for their trust in him and vowed to work with Democrats where possible.
In a letter to colleagues, Johnson signaled openness to passing a stopgap funding measure to avert a government shutdown next month.
Here are five things to know about Johnson, the GOP’s latest House speaker nominee.
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Johnson received votes from all 220 Republicans present. Democrats nominated Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as speaker. He received votes from all 209 Democrats present.
“The people’s house is back in business,” Johnson said in remarks in the House chamber following his election. He thanked Republicans for their trust in him and vowed to work with Democrats where possible.
In a letter to colleagues, Johnson signaled openness to passing a stopgap funding measure to avert a government shutdown next month.
Here are five things to know about Johnson, the GOP’s latest House speaker nominee.
End of carousel
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