House Elects Mike Johnson as Speaker Amidst Unified Democratic Opposition
The House of Representatives convened for a pivotal session on the opening day of the 119th Congress, setting the stage for the election of a new speaker. The outcome revealed a distinct partisan divide as Democrats rallied behind Hakeem Jeffries of New York, while the majority of Republicans cast their votes for Mike Johnson from Louisiana.
In a notable shift during the roll call, two Republican members, who initially supported other candidates, switched their votes to Johnson. This strategic move secured him exactly 218 votes, the minimum required to claim the speaker position.
Nebraska’s Republican congressmen were unanimous in their support for Johnson, having expressed their endorsement prior to the vote. Following the election, 3rd District Representative Adrian Smith lauded Johnson’s efforts, stating, “Congratulations to Speaker Johnson, who has worked tirelessly to unite the Republican Conference and ensure we hit the ground running in 2025. Mike’s conservative principles and determination have rightfully earned the confidence and support of a majority of my House colleagues.”
Rep. Mike Flood of the 1st District highlighted Johnson’s potential to advance President-elect Donald Trump’s America First agenda. “From building the wall to cutting taxes, there are numerous significant priorities to deliver on, and I’m excited to team up with President Trump, Speaker Johnson, and our entire Republican caucus to keep Washington working for the people in the coming days and weeks,” Flood remarked.
Second District Rep. Don Bacon also showed his support for Johnson by writing on X, “We need Speaker Johnson to move forward with our agenda: wages that climb faster than inflation, secure borders, keep our streets safe, achieve energy independence, restore deterrence and respect for America, and deal with the debt crisis.”
As Johnson takes on the role of speaker, he faces the challenge of leading a narrow Republican majority in the House. This majority could become even slimmer with the anticipated departure of two GOP representatives to join the Trump administration.
