Why Mike Johnson is 'not out of the woods' yet — even with Trump’s endorsement

31 December 2024

This Friday, January 3 in the United States, a new Congress will be seated — and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) is hoping that he will remain in that position.

President-elect Donald Trump gave Johnson his "complete and total endorsement" on December 30. But according to reporting from Axios' Andrew Solender and The Hill's Emily Brooks, Johnson may not have the votes needed for confirmation.

During a December 31 appearance on Fox Business, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said of Johnson, "Right now, I don't believe he has the votes on Friday."

Roy told Fox Business, "I remain undecided, as do a number of my colleagues, because we saw so many of the failures last year that we are concerned about that might limit or inhibit our ability to advance the president's agenda."

Brooks notes that Roy has "floated two alternatives to Johnson": Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Florida) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).

"Several other Republicans — including Reps. Andy Harris (Md.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.) and Victoria Spartz (Ind.) — are continuing to withhold support for Johnson despite Trump's endorsement," Brooks reports. "Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who has said he will vote for a person other than Johnson, has also signaled that Trump's endorsement did not change his mind. Johnson can only afford one Republican defection in the January 3 speaker election, assuming all members are present and voting for a candidate."

Brooks adds, "The House's incoming 215 Democrats are all expected to vote for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and Republicans are expected to have 219 members in attendance that day."

Solender points out that even after Trump's "crucial endorsement," Johnson "is not out of the woods in his fight to retain his gavel."

"Trump's endorsement pushed some uncommitted members, like Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), to back Johnson," Solender reports. "But it hasn't swayed Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), the one House Republican who has said he plans to vote against Johnson."

Solender adds that as of Monday, December 30, House Republicans who remained undecided after Trump's endorsement included Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona and Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee.

Read The Hill's full article at this link and Axios' here.

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