The 119th Congress kicked off with high-stakes drama as Mike Johnson, the Republican from Louisiana, was narrowly reelected as Speaker of the House.
Backed by President-elect Donald Trump, Johnson managed to secure his post after intense negotiations with GOP holdouts. Texas Rep. Keith Self and South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman initially voted against Johnson but changed their votes after private discussions with him.
Far-Right Frustrations and GOP Infighting
Johnson’s leadership has occasionally frustrated far-right Republicans, who often leverage their influence to demand concessions. Despite this, he won reelection on the first ballot with 218 votes, narrowly surpassing Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who garnered 215 votes. Florida Rep. Byron Donalds and Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer also received votes, highlighting fractures within the Republican Party.
House Democrats observed the GOP infighting with amusement, with Leader Hakeem Jeffries tweeting, “The GOP Civil War is in full swing. And it’s only Day 1.”
DCCC Misfire: Premature Email Declares Johnson Defeated
Adding to the spectacle, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee mistakenly sent out a fundraising email mid-vote, prematurely declaring Johnson had “LOST his bid to be reelected Speaker.” The email, which solicited donations for the 2026 midterms, was quickly proven wrong as Johnson secured the gavel moments later.
Peaceful Transfer of Power Highlighted Amid Tensions
In a nod to tradition, Jeffries handed Johnson the speaker’s gavel, emphasizing the peaceful transfer of power. This mirrored Jeffries’ gesture 14 months ago when Johnson first took the role after Kevin McCarthy’s ouster.
Senate Shifts: Thune Takes Charge
Meanwhile, in the Senate, new Majority Leader John Thune emphasized preserving the filibuster, despite President-elect Trump’s calls for its elimination. Nine new senators were sworn in, including Jim Justice of West Virginia, who will delay his entry until Jan. 13 when his gubernatorial successor is inaugurated.
Territories Demand Representation
Democratic Rep. Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands drew attention to the exclusion of U.S. territories from the speaker vote. She called for change, earning applause from Democrats and resistance from Republicans.
The opening session of the 119th Congress underscores the challenges ahead as lawmakers grapple with internal divisions and calls for bipartisan action on issues like inflation and immigration. As Speaker Johnson resumes his leadership role, the nation watches to see if the GOP can bridge its divides in a pivotal legislative term.
