Rep. Ralph Norman (R-Texas) and Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) sided with President-elect Trump before switching their votes to support House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana). Reassuring him about Johnson, who spoke at length about the phone call, and Sen. Norman said it was helpful.
Along with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Mr. Norman and Mr. Self initially voted for someone else to run for Congress, seemingly denying Mr. Johnson a victory in their initial votes. But while Massie remained adamant about voting for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Norman and Self followed Trump's call to vote for Johnson. I switched.
Norman told reporters that Trump and Johnson promised that Johnson would “fight for us” and “fight for everyone.” He said he wanted to pressure Johnson to make sure he was serious about the federal budget and border security.
Self called it a “lively” discussion.
Norman said he was aware of Trump's support for Johnson's candidacy, but that the phone call with the president-elect was helpful. He said Trump claimed Johnson was likable and the only person who could garner enough votes to be elected speaker.
But Norman defended his decision-making process in an interview with Fox News after the vote.
“The only way to have my voice heard was to do what I did. I want to do it again,” he said.
Shortly after Mr. Johnson won the speakership, members of the House Freedom Caucus released a letter announcing their demands for Mr. Johnson as speaker and a list of bills he should bring to the floor. Norman was one of 11 signees.
