U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson was reelected to the chamber’s top job on Friday by a narrow margin, highlighting potential divisions among President-elect Donald Trump’s Republicans on Capitol Hill.
Johnson appeared to fall short of the majority needed to retain his position in the initial vote but secured enough support from two opponents who switched their votes after lengthy negotiations. The speaker vowed to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and roll back regulations, vowing to “drastically cut back the size and scope of government.”
The relection was an early test of Republicans’ ability to unite behind Trump’s agenda, with Johnson facing internal divisions over the past two years. His elevation to speaker came after the party ousted his predecessor Kevin McCarthy in mid-term.
In a surprising twist, Representative Keith Self said he secured a promise from Trump that members from the right wing would be included in efforts to shape tax and immigration bills. Other Republicans who initially opposed Johnson later changed their votes after negotiations with him and Trump.
The narrow majority of 219-215 underscores potential fissures among Trump’s Republicans, raising questions about the party’s ability to advance its agenda. With a long list of challenges ahead, including addressing the nation’s $36 trillion debt, Johnson will have a significant role to play in shaping Trump’s legislative agenda.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-republicans-take-congressional-majority-mike-johnson-faces-test-2025-01-03