Mike Johnson is elected speaker of the US House with 218 votes, facing internal tensions in the Republican Party.
The Republican deputy was chosen as president of the House of Representatives obtaining 218 votes, which represents the minimum amount necessary to guarantee a majority. The vote was marked by tensions, as some party members did not support Johnson, who could not lose more than one vote to be elected. Currently, Republicans hold a slim majority in the House, with 219 seats to Democrats’ 215. Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, in turn, received the unanimous support of all 215 of his party’s votes, while Republican Tom Emmer had just one vote. The Chamber will not be able to move forward with the analysis of legislative proposals until a president is officially elected, and new votes could delay the start of the legislative year, impacting the inauguration of new deputies.
During the voting process, three Republicans chose to support other candidates, and six decided to abstain. At the end of the vote, two deputies changed their votes to support Johnson, while one maintained his opposite position. Johnson assumes the leadership of the House in a context of a reduced majority, the smallest in almost a century, and will need to balance internal demands with the expectations of President-elect Donald Trump, with whom he maintains a close relationship. This moment represents a crucial test for the Republican Party’s cohesion around Trump’s agenda, which encompasses proposals such as tax cuts and border security measures. Furthermore, the vote also serves to assess the former president’s influence in Congress, where some members of the party have already demonstrated a willingness to challenge him on his initiatives.
Published by Sarah Paula
*Report produced with the help of AI
