Things are not looking good for Speaker of the House Johnson on the first vote. Three people have voted for “Other”. Johnson could only afford 1 “other” vote assuming members voted along party lines.
What next?
The second vote can be taken or they can go back and try to ask for support from those who voted “Other”. In 2023, the House went through 15 votes over 4 days before then-speaker McCarthy was elected. There are no other Republicans who have put their name in the hat for the position of Speaker.
Vote for “other people”?
- Representative Massie (Kentucky)
- Ralph Norman (South Carolina)
- Rep. Keith Self (Texas)
Johnson has 216 at the last round. Jeffries at 215. There were 3 “Others”.
Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie has openly opposed Mike Johnson's bid for Speaker, arguing that Johnson lacks the leadership needed to effectively represent the party and could lose the GOP's slim majority. endanger. Massie emphasized the need for a Speaker who can motivate the public and communicate the party's message effectively to get the majority for the second half of Trump's term.
Massie is the most positive about voting against Johnson.
About a dozen other undecided Republicans chose to support Johnson, including Reps. Andy Biggs (Arizona), Michael Cloud (Texas), Andy Harris (Maryland), Andrew Clyde (Georgia), Chip Roy (Texas) and Paul Gosar (Arizona).
So the horse trading begins. With Massie apparently committed to his vote, it's up to Norman and Féin to push the speaker over the threshold of 218. That assumes that like the others are undecided, still undecided.
