The 119th Congress is convening for the first time on Friday and House Speaker Mike Johnson is fighting for his political life — again.
While the Louisiana Republican has the support of President-elect Donald Trump, it will be House Republicans who will decide whether to reelect him to his post as Speaker of the House. Far-right Republicans have at times grown frustrated with Johnson’s leadership and are prone to demanding concessions when their votes become essential.
A flop by Johnson could throw Monday’s congressional certification of Trump’s 2024 election victory into turmoil without a House speaker.
Here’s the latest:
Lawmaker calls attention to US territories during speaker vote
Rep. Stacey Plaskett, who represents the U.S. Virgin Islands, received cheers and jeers as she inquired why members of Congress elected by U.S. territories were not included in the roll call for House speaker.
“We are collectively the largest per capita of veterans in this country,” said Plaskett, who added that the territories are home to more than 4 million American citizens.
The territories include Plaskett’s home territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands
“We must do something about this problem,” Plaskett said as she received a standing ovation from her Democratic colleagues and calls for “order” from Republicans across the aisle.
Only members of Congress elected from U.S. states are eligible to vote for speaker.
Johnson needs 2 more votes to become speaker on this ballot
His allies are talking to some of the holdouts on the House floor.
Johnson walks off House floor
Speaker Mike Johnson walked off the floor as the first ballot for his speaker’s race was coming to a close.
Three Republicans voted for other candidates besides Johnson.
Another vote against Johnson
Texas Rep. Keith Self voted for Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida for House Speaker, in lieu of Rep. Mike Johnson.
It is the third GOP defection from the incumbent speaker.
Johnson at risk of falling short on first ballot
With Reps. Thomas Massie and Ralph Norman both voting for candidates that are not Johnson, the Louisiana Republican is now at risk of losing his first ballot for speaker.
There were several far-right members who abstained from voting thus far and could potentially vote at the end.
A former House Speaker votes for her Democratic successor
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi received a standing ovation from her Democratic colleagues when she cast a vote for Jeffries, her successor as Democratic minority leader, to serve as House Speaker.
The two, sitting across the aisle from each other in the chamber, embraced for a quick hug before voting resumed.
The speaker election has started
House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain kicked off the speaker election by nominating Mike Johnson to be the speaker for the 119th Congress.
What happens next?
1. Nominations
Once the House is in a quorum — meaning the minimum number of members are present to proceed — nominating speeches will be made on behalf of the nominees for speaker. Republicans chose Johnson as their nominee for speaker in a closed-door vote in November. A week later, Democrats unanimously chose Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to remain their leader despite the party’s electoral losses.
2. Voting
Lawmakers call out the name of their choice for speaker from the floor, a rare and time-consuming roll call. Members often liven up the proceedings by shouting or standing when casting their vote. Lawmakers are not obligated to vote for their party’s nominated candidate. Any name can be called out from the House floor. While it has been the tradition for the speaker to be a member of the House, it is not required.
3. Results
Should Johnson come up short, it is likely the clerk will move immediately to start another roll call vote. If a speaker candidate wins a majority of those present and voting, a bipartisan committee, usually consisting of members from the home state of the chosen candidate, will escort the speaker-elect to the chair on the dais where the oath of office is administered.
Voting for the speaker of the House is soon to begin
The next speaker must receive a majority of the votes cast. If not, balloting continues until someone meets that threshold.
Two years ago, it took Kevin McCarthy 15 rounds of balloting before he gained enough support to take the gavel.
Those voting won their election in November, but they cannot take the oath of office until a new speaker has been elected.
Colors of the political spectrum
New and returning lawmakers donned their Sunday best to the first day of the new Congress, with many of the women adhering to the traditional colors of their political party.
Red ties and dresses for Republican members can be seen scattered across the House floor while across the aisle Democratic women styled various shades of blue.
How many votes does Johnson need to win?
Johnson commands one of the slimmest majorities in modern times, 220-215, having lost seats in the November election.
The abrupt resignation of Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida drops his tally to 220.
That leaves him relying on almost every Republican for support in the face of Democratic opposition, though the typical 218 majority needed could shift with absences and others voting only “present.”
from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/34N2Zh6
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