On Capitol Hill, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) clinched the Speaker of the House position on the first ballot Friday, fulfilling a bold prediction made by Republican firebrand Matt Gaetz. The newly-minted news host’s call, made hours before the vote, proved accurate, cementing his credibility in his new role.
Gaetz, who recently transitioned from legislator to political commentator, confidently tweeted early Friday morning: “Mike Johnson will be elected Speaker today. On the first vote. People might like or dislike that. I’m just reporting the news.”
His prediction stirred skepticism from some, including fellow Republicans, as internal divisions within the GOP threatened to derail the process.
Mike Johnson will be elected Speaker today.
On the first vote.
People might like or dislike that. I’m just reporting the news.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) January 3, 2025
The vote for Speaker was far from guaranteed. Johnson initially fell just two votes short of the 218 needed to secure the gavel, with Republican holdouts Reps. Ralph Norman (R-SC), Keith Self (R-TX), and Thomas Massie (R-KY) declining to support him. Democrats, meanwhile, remained unified behind Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), casting all their votes for him.
The tide shifted mid-vote when Norman and Self flipped their positions, citing a desire to end the gridlock that had paralyzed the GOP-controlled House. Their change of heart, along with Massie’s decision to abstain, lowered the majority threshold, enabling Johnson to win. […]
— Read More: trendingpoliticsnews.com
