Mike Johnson retains his position as Speaker of the House of Representatives
4 january 2025 в 02:13
Mike Johnson is still the 56th Speaker of the House of Representatives. After a vote on Friday, January 3, 2025, the 52-year-old Republican member was able to retain his position as speaker by a narrow margin. After several Republicans initially voted against Johnson, it seemed like he would not be able to keep his position in Congress. However, three key members of the Republican party changed their votes in his favor. So who are these Republicans who changed their minds? Find out below.
For Johnson — or anyone else in Congress — to win or retain the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, they need 218 out of 434 votes. Since Republicans are the minority in the House, Johnson could not afford to lose any votes.
According to CNN, the three Republicans who initially voted against Johnson were Thomas Massie, who voted for Tom Emmer; Ralph Norman, who voted for Jim Jordan; and Keith Self, who voted for Byron Donalds.
At the last minute, Self and Norman changed their votes in favor of Johnson. Johnson then won the speakership with 218 votes. Massie, however, maintained his opposing vote. According to CNN, Johnson stated that he did not make any promises to Self and Norman despite their change of heart.
In the House of Representatives, there are 219 Republicans against 215 members of the Democratic party. Republicans won the majority in the House after the 2024 elections.
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader in the House, received 215 votes. After Johnson’s victory, Jeffries addressed his colleagues, noting that «it is time to come together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans, to do something for the people».
«Our position is that it is unacceptable to cut social security, Medicaid, Medicare, veterans benefits, or food for children and families to pay for huge tax breaks for billionaires and wealthy corporations», - Jeffries said, adding that Democrats will «stand up to extreme right-wing extremism whenever necessary»
For Johnson — or anyone else in Congress — to win or retain the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, they need 218 out of 434 votes. Since Republicans are the minority in the House, Johnson could not afford to lose any votes.
According to CNN, the three Republicans who initially voted against Johnson were Thomas Massie, who voted for Tom Emmer; Ralph Norman, who voted for Jim Jordan; and Keith Self, who voted for Byron Donalds.
At the last minute, Self and Norman changed their votes in favor of Johnson. Johnson then won the speakership with 218 votes. Massie, however, maintained his opposing vote. According to CNN, Johnson stated that he did not make any promises to Self and Norman despite their change of heart.
In the House of Representatives, there are 219 Republicans against 215 members of the Democratic party. Republicans won the majority in the House after the 2024 elections.
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader in the House, received 215 votes. After Johnson’s victory, Jeffries addressed his colleagues, noting that «it is time to come together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans, to do something for the people».
«Our position is that it is unacceptable to cut social security, Medicaid, Medicare, veterans benefits, or food for children and families to pay for huge tax breaks for billionaires and wealthy corporations», - Jeffries said, adding that Democrats will «stand up to extreme right-wing extremism whenever necessary»
© Kolganov Andrey
