WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – Republican Mike Johnson was re-elected Speaker of the House on the first ballot, convincing GOP critics to retain power. At first Republican members of the House of Representatives Ralph Norman and Keith Self had voted against him. At the crucial stage of voting, key Gop detractors switched their votes to support Johnson at the last minute after the Louisiana Republican was on the verge of losing.
After the initial nominal vote, Johnson had fallen behind, with three Gop defections. Congressman Thomas Massie had voted for Tom Emmer, while Congressman Ralph Norman had voted for Jim Jordan, and finally Keith Self had voted for Congressman Byron Donalds.
After all members of the House of Representatives made their nominations, voting was kept open for an extended period of time, and before the official close Johnson persuaded Self and Norman to change their votes, thus managing to reach the “magic” figure of 218 to secure a second term as speaker of the House.
Having succeeded in the feat of securing a second term Johnson now faces a major challenge in Congress, as his is the narrowest majority in the last 100 years of U.S. history. Playing a crucial role in this vote was President-elect Donald Trump, who spoke directly with Representatives Ralph Norman and Keith Self to convince them to vote for Johnson.
As early as earlier this week, the tycoon had voiced his support for Johnson, reiterating that he would do whatever it took to get him a second term. At the heart of the vote was the concern about not knowing what would happen if the House did not elect a president by next Monday, Jan. 6, the day lawmakers are expected to certify Donald Trump’s victory in the last election.
– Photo: xp6/Italpress –
(ITALPRESS).
