House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) on Thursday asked President-elect Trump to make a call on his behalf to Republican lawmakers who remain cautious about the president's intentions to keep the gavel. He said he had not.
“No, not at all, no,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters with a laugh. “I met him yesterday at Mar-a-Lago. It was a great visit. But I think tomorrow will be better. And we'll come together and get it all done.”
Assuming all members are present and voting, Johnson cannot afford to lose more than one Republican in the speaker's race. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has already said he won't vote for Johnson, but some lawmakers are seeking commitments from him on specific policy issues.
All Democratic members of Congress plan to be in attendance Friday to vote for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Democratic party headquarters told The Hill. That means Prime Minister Boris Johnson has no wiggle room in their absence.
Other potential holdout candidates include Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), and Rep. Lauren Boebert. These include Congressman (R-Colorado) and Congressman Eric Burleson (R-Missouri). , Ralph Norman (RS.C.), Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania), and Andy Harris (R-Md.).
President Trump reportedly spoke with Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) on Thursday, who expressed doubts about Johnson's ability to win the votes he needed on Friday. expresses a positive attitude. Trump's press secretary did not respond to a request for comment on whether he called other members of Congress.
Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he would make a call on Johnson's behalf “if necessary,” but expressed confidence that the Louisiana Republican could win the gavel.
