President-elect Trump spoke to House Speaker Mike Johnson, hours before House members will vote to decide whether to keep the gavel to open the next Congress, amid uncertainty about whether Johnson has the necessary support. Republican Party of Louisiana).
President Trump: “I wish Speaker of the House Mike Johnson the best of luck today. He's a very talented person, and his approval rating is approaching 100%.'' Posted In true social. “Mike's win today would be a huge victory for the Republican Party and a reaffirmation of the most important presidential election in 129 years!! – A huge affirmation indeed. MAGA!”
The House will vote on the speaker's election on Friday afternoon. Republicans hold a razor-thin majority in the House.
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 will not vote for Johnson.
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.). Skeptics have been holding talks with Mr Johnson in recent days, hoping to gain assurances on issues such as spending cuts.
President Trump gave his full support to Johnson earlier this week, making Friday's vote a test of the president-elect's influence. The two recently met at Trump's Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida.
President Trump's allies argue that no other Republican can garner the support needed to become speaker. The president-elect's team also warned that a messy, drawn-out battle for the gavel could delay certification of Trump's victory and undermine efforts to unite at the start of his second term.
Johnson said Thursday that he had not asked Trump to summon potential Republican holdouts ahead of the speaker vote. The president-elect reportedly met with Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) this week, but it is unclear whether he has met with any other members of Congress.
