If you like PoliticusUSA’s ad-free environment and new layout, we’re now completely independent, but we rely on your support, so please consider becoming a subscriber.
Mike Johnson lost the first vote for speaker, but kept his vote open and met with his opponents to change his vote.
After the first round of voting, Mike Johnson appears to have won the vote to become chairman. Mr. Johnson initially defected before the three Republicans met briefly with them in the cloakroom.
Johnson ended up winning 218-215-1, a hollow victory at best.
Speaker Johnson lost on the first vote and had to scramble to rally support.
There was no dramatic reversal or Republican rallying behind him. This showed that even after the far-right changed their motion to withdraw the rules, there were still enough people (nine in total) to move to oust Johnson if they didn’t like him. .
Despite Mr. Trump’s efforts to assert himself, the House Republican Party remains a dysfunctional garbage can.
Democrats should view today’s events as two-thirds of the Republican federal leadership (Johnson and Trump) weakened and wounded.
There will be fewer motions to override the drama this Congress, but the fight to pass the most basic and necessary legislation will continue.
House Republicans and President Trump won’t be able to do anything without Democratic votes. The Democratic Party may have more power than any minority party in both houses of Congress in modern American political history.
Trump and the Republicans will pass an immigration bill and tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations, but both are currently far from avoiding a government shutdown in March and keeping the U.S. from defaulting on its debt. Looks like a goal.
Mike Johnson didn’t win today. He survived, and like Trump, his political career is on borrowed time.
What do you think about the House Republican mess? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
