Republican Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson was elected speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, ending three weeks of chaos in a leaderless chamber that has been closed for business since former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted by a small group of rogue GOP members.
“The people’s House is back in business,” Johnson said after the election.
Johnson, 51, makes history as Louisiana’s first speaker and gives the relatively small state the top two positions in the House with Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Metairie already in place.
“The challenge before us is great, but the time for action is now and I will not let you down,” said Johnson, who is the 56th speaker of the House.”
He was officially nominated on the floor by New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who described Johnson as “a man of deep faith” and a “servant leader.”
Stefanik said Johnson is “a friend to all and an enemy to none.”
Johnson secured unanimous support from Republicans on the floor with a 220-209 vote margin. All 209 Democrats voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
Democratic President Joe Biden congratulated Johnson on his election and said he will seek to work with Johnson “in good faith on behalf of the American people” to find common ground.
Now Johnson faces the daunting task of uniting a fractured Republican Conference that holds a razor thin majority in the House.
Johnson told USA Today Network he was up to the task in a recent interview. “I have a vision,” he said….
