Optimism is growing among Republicans that Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) will be elected Speaker of the House on Wednesday, putting an end to three weeks of infighting since the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
The majority of the House GOP conference voted late Tuesday night to advance Johnson as their speaker designate, with 128 member pledging their support.
GOP caucus members had previously nominated Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio and Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana to the speakership.
Jordan failed in three rounds of floor voting as more than 20 holdouts opposed him, whereas Scalise and Emmer exited the speaker’s race without having House members cast any ballots.
While 43 members reportedly voted for McCarthy on the secret ballot for Johnson, the former speaker and his allies have expressed full support for Johnson as he heads to a noon floor vote today.
“@RepMikeJohnson is a friend, fighter, and principled conservative who can get the job done,” McCarthy posted Wednesday morning on X.
“He has my full support as Speaker. We’ll keep working together to put our country first and fulfill our Commitment to America.”
Johnson has also received the backing of House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pa.).
“Mike Johnson is a principled, devout, family man who loves and values the Constitution and our Nation. He will change the status quo. Full support,” he said on X.
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Johnson gaveled the House into recess after the lower chamber unanimously passed resolutions notifying the Senate and President Biden that the Louisiana Republican had been elected speaker. And at long last, normal business has resumed on Capitol Hill. Johnson was officially sworn in by 85-year-old Dean of the House Hal Rogers (R-Ky.). "Would you all like to get to governing?" he asked immediately after taking his oath of office.Johnson bangs House into recess
By Josh Christenson Johnson takes the oath of office, is sworn in as speaker
By Josh Christenson 
Johnson pledged "to find common ground" with his Democratic colleagues in his opening speech as House speaker.
He also thanked his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, for his service, as well as his Republican colleagues and members of his family.
"I want to thank my wife," Johnson also said. "She's not here, couldn't get a flight in time, this happened kind of suddenly."
"I will not let you down," he affirmed to everyone listening.
Johnson went on to share poignant memories of his father, who died of cancer three days before he was first elected to Congress and being overwhelmed with the "weight of history" while serving in the lower chamber.
"At one time, [Americans] had great pride in this institution, but that now is in jeopardy," he said, noting conflicts abroad, a "broken" southern border and out-of-control federal spending.
"The country demands strong leadership of this body — and we must not waver," Johnson added, before saying that his first move as speaker would be to pass a resolution affirming Israel's right to self-defense.
"My office is going to be known for trust, transparency and accountability, for good stewardship," he concluded.
"Let the enemies of freedom around the world hear us loud and clear: The People's House is back in business."
Jeffries in a speech to present Johnson with the speaker's gavel called for the lower chamber to "put people over politics" and won bipartisan applause for statements in support of Israel and Ukraine.
The minority leader said the House should continue with its "ironclad commitment to Israel's security" and "also support Ukraine" by passing a joint package "in its totality" for both nations.
"What about Rashida Tlaib?" firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) heckled at one point, referencing the congresswoman's recent criticisms of Israel.
"What about the border?" other GOP lawmakers shouted in response, asking for Democrats' help to "secure" it.
Still others griped when Jeffries referred to a "violent mob" having stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
But Jeffries concluded by welcoming Johnson to the rostrum as both sides of the aisle applauded.
Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) is looking to replace Johnson as the Republican conference's vice chairman, a source tells The Post.
Armstrong is currently a member of the House Oversight Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.
Johnson re-entered the House chamber after winning the vote, shaking hands with colleagues as he went to assume the speaker's chair.
He was followed by many Republican and Democratic representatives, including the leadership members of both parties.
Johnson issued his first statement as speaker moments after being elected by his colleagues, calling it "the honor of a lifetime" to preside over the House.
"It is the honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House," the Republican conference vice chairman said in a post on X. "Thank you to my colleagues, friends, staff, and family for the unmatched support throughout this process."
It is the honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) October 25, 2023
Thank you to my colleagues, friends, staff, and family for the unmatched support throughout this process.
It has been an arduous few weeks, and a reminder that the House is as complicated and…
The first speaker to be elected from Louisiana acknowledged that it had "been an arduous few weeks, and a reminder that the House is as complicated and diverse as the people we represent."
"The urgency of this moment demands bold, decisive action to restore trust, advance our legislative priorities, and demonstrate good governance," Johnson added, promising that Republicans were "eager to get to work" and to "advance a comprehensive conservative policy agenda."
"And we will restore sanity to a government desperately in need of it," he emphasized.
Patrick McHenry makes the official announcement that Mike Johnson is "the duly elected" 56th speaker of the House of Representatives after 220 members voted in support of the Louisiana Republican.
House Democrats delivered 209 votes in favor of their minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries. Four members were absent.
Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) sealed the votes for Johnson, carrying him over the threshold that Jordan failed to cross last week.
The House GOP handed the Louisiana Republican the speakership with 220 votes. Unanimous approval within the conference.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) touted Jeffries "as the only candidate who represents the integrity of this House" — before Republicans cut her off with a chorus of boos.
McHenry had to pound his gavel to restore order before continuing with the vote.
Mike Johnson of Louisiana has passed the 215-vote threshold needed to be House speaker.
Nothing is official until all members have been surveyed and the vote is gaveled closed, but as of now, Johnson has the votes to wield the gavel.
For the record, Rep. Brandon Williams of New York cast the 215th vote for Johnson.
