Three Republicans voted for someone other than Johnson. This is headed for multiple rounds.
Voting Against Johnson
- Rep. Ralph Norman (R., S.C.) voted for Rep. Jim Jordan (R., Ohio)
- Rep. Thomas Massie (R, Ky.)voted against Johnson, naming Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota instead.
- Rep. Keith Self (R., Texas) voted for Byron Donalds (R. Fla.)
Rep. Ralph Norman vote evoked gasps in the chamber, so that was an unexpected loss.
Two other reps withheld their vote then given a second chance voted for Johnson. It is unclear how they will vote in subsequent rounds.
Johnson can afford to lose no more than one vote.
Five Holdouts
In the rollcall, Reps. Andy Biggs (R., Ariz.), Michael Cloud (R., Texas), Andrew Clyde (R., Ga.), Paul Gosar (R., Ariz.), Andy Harris (R., Md.) and Chip Roy (R., Texas) did not vote. Given a second chance to vote at the end, all voted for Johnson.
Had they not voted a second time, Jeffries would be speaker, 215-214. It is not a given these reps will vote for Johnson in a second round.
Slimmest House Majority Since 1931
Yesterday, I noted Republicans Have the Slimmest House Majority Since 1931
One might wonder Why Does Trump Support Johnson for Speaker of the House?
Q1 of the Day: Why does Trump like Johnson?
Q1 Answer: Trump now believes Johnson will do whatever Trump says.Team DOGE (Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy) are willing to go along with Johnson because Trump is. Otherwise, they would both be trashing Johnson.
Johnson vs McCarthy
In practice, Mike Johnson has proven to be much worse than Kevin McCarthy. I called that in advance.
Q2 of the Day: Seriously, is there no now one better than Johnson (who would take the job)?
Q2 Answer: What’s the definition of better?If better means someone who will suck up to Trump no matter what Trump wants, then perhaps there is no one better.
Otherwise, pull a random Republican name out of the hat and you would likely be no worse off and perhaps much better off.
What’s It Mean?
At least three Republicans are willing to stand up to Trump.
On specific budget items, there will be more.
It is going to be very hard to pass legislation without support from some Democrats and that alone likely means bigger budget deficits.