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Rep. Mike Johnson Wins House Speakership After Chaotic Battle

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 25: Newly elected U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivers remarks after the House of Representatives held an election in the U.S. Capitol on October 25, 2023 in Washington, DC. After a contentious nominating period that has seen four candidates over a three-week period, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was voted in to succeed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who was ousted on October 4 in a move led by a small group of conservative members of his own party. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

On Wednesday, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) was elected House speaker with 220 votes, more than the 217 votes he needed to be elected.

Johnson’s win finally allowed Republicans to step out of chaos after their three-week scramble to find a new House speaker following the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Johnson was the elected Republican’s vice chair in 2016 after practicing constitutional law and teaching as a college professor at Liberty University. He was also one of eight House members who served on former President Donald Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment trial.

He will be stepping forward and taking the position from Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina), who served as temporary acting speaker after McCarthy was ousted earlier this month. Johnson will be leading the chamber through major challenges including the forthcoming government funding deadline and debate over a funding bill for Israel in its war with Hamas.

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The speaker did not let the chaos discourage him from the race.

Johnson’s vote was just below the requirement due to at least a dozen House members being absent.

Johnson was the fourth candidate that Republicans put up for speaker. Reps. Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota) were all unable to secure a majority of the House needed to win the speakership.

“This is servant leadership,” Johnson told reporters after the vote. “We’re going to serve the people of this country. We will restore their faith in this Congress, this institution of government. America is the last best hope of man on the Earth.”

Astrid Valdez