Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was elected as the new Speaker of the House with unanimous support from the Republican caucus.
Today’s vote ended a roughly three-week period in which the House of Representatives has been operating without a Speaker.
Before landing on Rep. Johnson, the Republican caucus cycled through three other nominees — Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), and Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN).
“The people’s House is back in business,” Johnson said to his fellow representatives prior to being sworn in, according to CBS.
[RELATED: Mike Johnson Nominated For Speaker of the House, Chamber-Wide Vote Expected This Afternoon]
Speaker Johnson posted a lengthy statement on X following his election this afternoon.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House,” Johnson wrote. “Thank you to my colleagues, friends, staff, and family for the unmatched support throughout this process.”
“It has been an arduous few weeks, and a reminder that the House is as complicated and diverse as the people we represent,” Johnson said. “The urgency of this moment demands bold, decisive action to restore trust, advance our legislative priorities, and demonstrate good governance. Our House Republican Conference is united, and eager to work.”
“As Speaker, I will ensure the House delivers results and inspires change for the American people,” Johnson wrote. “We will restore trust in this body. We will advance a comprehensive conservative policy agenda, combat the harmful policies of the Biden Administration, and support our allies abroad. And we will restore sanity to a government desperately in need of it.”
“Let’s get back to work,” Johnson concluded.
It is the honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House.
— Rep. Mike Johnson (@RepMikeJohnson) October 25, 2023
Thank you to my colleagues, friends, staff, and family for the unmatched support throughout this process.
It has been an arduous few weeks, and a reminder that the House is as complicated and…
Some of the key figures in the House Republican caucus who publicly supported Johnson ahead of this afternoon’s vote also took to X to issue their congratulations.
Rep. Scalise — the caucus’ first nominee for the Speakership — posted a photo taken with Johnson, adding the caption: “Congratulations, Mr. Speaker!”
Congratulations, Mr. Speaker! pic.twitter.com/yQnBHEpoJf
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) October 25, 2023
Similarly, Rep. Jordan posted a congratulatory message.
“Congratulations to my friend, Speaker [Johnson]! Let’s get to work,” Jordan wrote, signing his post with an American Flag.
Congratulations to my friend, Speaker @RepMikeJohnson! Let's get to work🇺🇸
— Congressman Jeff Van Drew (@Congressman_JVD) October 25, 2023
Rep. Emmer — the final GOP nominee prior to Johnson — posted a substantive congratulations, emphasizing the party’s newfound unity behind the Speaker.
“I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this team with our new Speaker of the House — [Johnson] — leading the way,” Emmer wrote.
“I firmly believe that, with House Republicans now united and ready to get back to work, our best days still lie ahead,” Emmer said.
I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this team with our new Speaker of the House – @RepMikeJohnson – leading the way.
— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) October 25, 2023
I firmly believe that, with House Republicans now united and ready to get back to work, our best days still lie ahead. pic.twitter.com/QD7RAMHLQW
With a Speaker in place, the House of Representatives is now able to return to its normal operations, which have largely been suspended the past three weeks due to the limited powers that were conferred upon Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) as Speaker Pro Tempore.
