In a dramatic political horse trading, the House of Representatives voted on Friday to reelect House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, rose to leadership in 2023 following the historic removal of Kevin McCarthy from the position.
Notably, he garnered support from President-elect Donald Trump while campaigning for a second term as Speaker.
However, Johnson’s approach to the government spending debate before Christmas frustrated some members of the GOP’s right flank.
Initially, three Republicans defected during the vote, yet two ultimately switched their votes, allowing Johnson to retain the gavel.
This shift highlighted the internal divisions within the party, as some members expressed dissatisfaction with his leadership style.
Following Johnson’s victory, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries addressed the chamber.
He emphasized the importance of bipartisanship in the new Congress, urging members to tackle pressing issues like rising prices for groceries and childcare.
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Jeffries articulated a commitment to collaboration while also vowing to counter far-right extremism whenever necessary.
Throughout his speech, Democrats frequently cheered, showing support for Jeffries’ message.
Conversely, Republicans applauded when he acknowledged that the American people elected Trump as the 47th president.
In response to the applause, Jeffries remarked, “Thank you for that very generous applause,” before taking a jab at some GOP colleagues, asserting, “There are no election deniers on our side of the aisle.”
