With the support of newly elected President Donald Trump, Republican Mike Johnson has been re-elected Speaker of the US House. In the voting that lasted for almost two hours, Johnson could not get the majority to save his chair, but after negotiations, two Republican rivals changed their votes to support Johnson and then he was elected Speaker of the US House after a close contest. .
According to CNN report, Johnson topped the chamber with 218 votes and gained enough support to be re-elected to the Speaker’s chair. Because key Republican opponents withdrew their votes from Johnson at the last minute.
House Speaker Johnson said he made no promises to his opponents Keith Self and Ralph Norman about overturning their votes. Only one vote could be lost with a very narrow majority of 219-215. Johnson needed the support of Self and Norman, as Republican Representative Thomas Massie maintained his opposition.
According to CNN, Representative Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, also said that no deal was made to bring Johnson’s opponents on board. Instead it was just a matter of getting it done and that was the result of “perseverance”.
Notably, multiple sources told CNN that it was Donald Trump who convinced opposition delegates to vote for Johnson on the first ballot to ensure victory.
Donald Trump congratulated
At the same time, Trump congratulated Johnson on his election as speaker. Trump posted on Truth Social, “Congratulations to Speaker Mike Johnson for receiving an unprecedented vote of confidence in Congress. Mike will be a great speaker and our country will be the beneficiary. The American people have shown common sense, strength and leadership for four years.” Have waited. They will get it all now and America will be greater than ever!
Expressed grief over terrorist attack
At the same time, the Speaker, in his first remarks, expressed grief over the terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans and appealed for silence.
Johnson said in the House, “Obviously, these are difficult days in our home state of Louisiana. We all know about the terrorist attack in New Orleans and it has really shaken our state. People are shocked by that attack. .”
Let us tell you that during the New Year celebrations, an ISIS supporter drove a pickup truck into the crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing 14 people and injuring dozens of others.
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