Speaker Saga Continues

House Republicans yesterday evening selected House GOP Vice Chair Mike Johnson (R, LA-4) as the latest speaker nominee—the fourth since Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R, CA-20) was ousted as speaker three weeks ago. The full House is set to vote on a speaker this afternoon; Johnson will need 217 votes to take the gavel. House Democrats unanimously support Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D, NY-8).

Johnson secured the speaker nomination after winning 128 votes in closed-door balloting. Johnson's late-night nomination came after Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R, MN-6) beat him in a previous internal caucus vote earlier in the day by a vote of 117 to 97. Hours later, Emmer withdrew from the race after a subsequent private roll call showed not enough Republicans would back Emmer had his nomination proceeded to a full House floor vote. Former President Donald Trump also had objected to Emmer's nomination.

Emmer was the third Republican speaker nominee to fall short, following Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R, OH-4) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R, LA-1). See timeline of events here.