Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has endorsed Mike Johnson ahead of the crucial vote for the House Speaker’s gavel, providing a significant boost to his chances of political survival.
Newsweek has contacted Johnson’s office for comment via email outside of normal office hours.
Why It Matters
The looming speaker vote on January 3 is set against a backdrop of GOP infighting that threatens to overshadow President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the presidency.
However, an endorsement from a key far-right MAGA Republican may quell Johnson’s fears that he won’t survive the critical vote.
The key backing could signal a turning point, offering a much-needed boost to Johnson’s allies as they look to return to the Speaker’s office.
What To Know
Speaker Mike Johnson enjoys the support of most House Republicans, but a few dissenters pose a threat to his effort to retain his position, given the GOP’s narrow majority in the chamber.
The Louisiana Republican faces a challenging numbers game to remain speaker. When the new Congress convenes on Friday, Republicans are expected to control 219 seats in the House, with one vacancy in the seat previously held by former Representative Matt Gaetz. Gaetz, a Florida Republican, was re-elected but resigned after being nominated as Trump’s attorney general.
To win the speaker race, Johnson must secure a majority of the members present. This would require 218 votes if all members are in attendance.
However, GOP Representative Thomas Massie has already announced he will vote “no,” meaning Johnson must gain the backing of every other Republican unless Democrats cross party lines to support him.
The House cannot carry out official business until a new speaker is elected. If Johnson fails to secure the 218 votes needed for a simple majority on Friday to remain speaker, the chamber could be stuck in limbo until the matter is resolved.
This includes the potential delay in certifying President-elect Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory on January 6.
Meanwhile, Greene previously led efforts to remove Johnson from the post in 2024. Georgia representative Greene introduced an unprivileged motion to vacate against Johnson in March, after he passed a $1.2 trillion spending package with Democratic support to fund the government.
Johnson has found himself increasingly at odds with some conservatives who have opposed his actions.
What People Are Saying
Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “You’ve seen me fight against him at times. But you want to know something else? Here’s what I recognize. For the past four years, all of you, and myself included, have put blood, sweat, and tears into electing President Trump.
“Let’s put aside our pride. Let’s put aside our egos. And let’s put aside the infighting. It’s time to come together as Republicans, and it’s time to do whatever it takes to make sure that we deliver the mandate that the American people told us to do. That’s why I’m excited tomorrow. I cannot wait to get started. I’ll be voting for Mike Johnson. I will be looking ahead in complete hopefulness and working as hard as possible.”
Trump, who threw Johnson a lifeline, said in a post on Truth Social: “The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform.
“Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!”
Thomas Massie on X (formerly Twitter): “I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan. We’ve seen Johnson partner with the democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said Tuesday on Fox Business: “I remain undecided, as do a number of my colleagues, because we saw so many of the failures last year that we are concerned about that might limit or inhibit our ability to advance the president’s agenda.”
Maryland Representative Andy Harris told Newsmax: “The speaker has four days to convince people that what happened over the past year, and especially what happened two weeks ago, is not going to happen next year.”
South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson told CNN: “Mike Johnson was in a good spot before President Trump’s endorsement. Clearly, he’s in an even better spot now.”
What Happens Next
The House speaker election, where Johnson will aim to maintain his position, is scheduled for January 3, the first day of the 119th Congress.
It remains to be seen if Johnson will survive his latest political test.
Meanwhile, the House and Senate are set to vote on the Electoral College certification on Monday, with Trump’s inauguration planned for January 20.
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