As the 119th United States Congress meets for the first time on Friday, House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a significant test as he seeks enough votes to be re-elected.
Johnson has the support of President-elect Donald Trump, but some Republicans are dissatisfied with his performance and are looking for a new president.
He will need nearly unanimous support from Republicans who have a slim majority over Democrats in the lower chamber of Congress.
Testing Trump’s influence
Before the new Congress can do anything, the House must elect its Speaker. Therefore, if Johnson does not get enough votes, the House will continue voting until the Speaker is elected.
Without the House speaker, Monday’s certification of Trump’s 2024 election victory could be in trouble.
Trump fully endorsed Johnson in a social media post on Friday, wishing him “good luck” and saying he was “very close to getting 100% support.”
Trump said, “Mike’s victory today would be a huge victory for the Republican Party.”
If more than one person votes against Johnson or several Republicans choose to abstain by voting “present”, it could get in the way of Johnson’s ambitions. This will happen if, as expected, all the Democrats vote for their leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Johnson said he “wouldn’t make a deal with anyone” to get their support. “I offer nothing in exchange for votes other than a commitment to make this institution work as effectively and efficiently as possible,” he said.
New faces in Congress
As soon as the new Congress begins, the election of the speaker will be the main focus. But this day will also mark some firsts.
For the first time in American history, two Black women, Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, will serve in the Senate at the same time.
Andy Kim of New Jersey also wants to become the first Korean American senator.
In the House, Sarah McBride is set to become the first openly transgender person in Congress.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who recently had hip replacement surgery after a fall, is also expected to return to Washington.
lo/ab (AP, APF, dpa, Reuters)
