In latest House speaker update, Republicans nominate Mike Johnson to lead. What you missed

WASHINGTON — The House is in its 21st day without a speaker – officially entering its fourth week without a formal leader as chaos continues to roil the lower chamber.

House Republicans on Tuesday night nominated Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La. as their latest speaker pick, coming just hours after House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., withdrew from the leadership battle.

All it takes for a candidate to win the GOP nomination is a simple majority of the conference, but the real question for any speaker nominee is whether they can get the near-unanimous support they need from House Republicans to be elected speaker.

So far, the first two speaker nominees, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. and House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, dropped out of the race due to the splinters that run through the House Republican conference.

Follow along for live updates from USA TODAY on the speaker fight.

No GOP lawmakers voted against Johnson: Rutherford

Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., said no one voted against Johnson in the internal roll call vote.

Three members votes present and 19 members were absent by his count. Otherwise, no lawmaker voted for an alternative candidate.

− Ken Tran

Johnson 'very confident' on path to 217

Johnson, flanked by an overwhelming majority of an exuberant GOP conference, said he was "very confident" he can be elected speaker to cheers of "Mike!" from lawmakers.

The plan, Johnson said, is to hold a speaker election at noon on Wednesday.

– Ken Tran

What would Mike Johnson do as speaker? 7 priorities

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., in a letter to colleagues over the weekend detailed what he’d focus on if elected House speaker.

He targeted seven priorities:

• Restore trust

• Advance a comprehensive policy agenda

• Promote individual members

• Engage members

• Effectively message

• Build and utilize external coalitions

• Develop and grow the GOP majority

“The complex role of Speaker at this time requires a team player and a bridge-builder with endless energy and a unique mix of skills and experiences,” he said in the letter. “My extensive background in law, policy, strategic analysis, messaging, managing, networking, and building coalitions happens to have served as uncommon preparation for the extraordinary demands of this day.”

– Candy Woodall

Who is Mike Johnson?

Louisiana Republican Rep. Mike Johnson, a deputy whip and constitutional lawyer known for his fiery exchanges on the House Judiciary Committee, is the fourth nominee chosen by his GOP peers to serve as speaker.

The vice chair of the House Republican Conference faces steep odds to get the 217 votes needed to win the gavel, especially considering he already has more than 40 votes against him. Those holdouts mostly favor ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

Johnson, 51, was a state representative for two years before being elected to Congress in 2016 and quickly rising in the ranks. In addition to the Judiciary committee, Johnson serves on the House Armed Services Committee and previously served a term as chairman of the Republican Study Committee.

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree and law degree from Louisiana State University, and he and his wife of 24 years, Kelly Johnson, have four children.

As speaker he would “chart a new path,” he told colleagues in a letter last weekend.

Johnson said the country is facing “one of the most fateful moments” in its history, citing the attack on Israel, emboldened foreign adversaries, high national debt, a southern border that is “overrun” and more.

“I have a clear vision and plan for how to lead us through these unprecedented challenges,” he said.

– Candy Woodall

House GOP holding roll call vote to test Johnson's support

House Republicans are now holding an internal roll call vote to determine how much support Johnson has before heading to a speaker election on the House floor, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, said.

The vote was originally scheduled for Wednesday morning.

– Ken Tran

43 members vote for McCarthy in final ballot

Johnson won the Republican nomination with 128 votes, according to a tally from Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas.

The votes were:

• Johnson earned 128 votes

• 'Other' earned 44 votes

• Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., earned 29 votes

• One member voted 'Present'

43 of the "other" votes were for ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, while the remaining vote was for Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

– Ken Tran

Johnson wins nomination

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., has secured the Republican nomination for speaker.

Securing the nomination is just the first step however. Johnson, the vice chair of the House Republican conference, will now have to shore up support ahead of a floor vote with the entire House, where Democrats aren't expected to lend him any votes.

It is unclear whether Johnson can successfully rally the near-unanimous GOP support he needs to be elected speaker.– Ken Tran

'Women are too smart' to run for speaker, GOP lawmaker says

As House Republicans are voting on a third ballot to select another speaker nominee, Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., noted the candidate field is entirely comprised of men.

"Women are too smart" to run for speaker, Cammack quipped.

− Ken Tran

Williams and Green out after second ballot

The second ballot has concluded and Reps. Roger Williams, R-Texas and Mark Green, R-Tenn., are out of the speaker's race.

Williams was eliminated as the last vote-getter and Green dropped out voluntarily according to Weber.

But in a signal of growing discontent among GOP lawmakers, 34 votes were also cast for "other," with 33 of those cast for Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

− Ken Tran

Will Republicans nominate another speaker tonight? Lawmakers cast 31 'other' votes in first ballot

In a sign of possible discontent within the House Republican conference over the speaker candidates, 31 votes were cast for an alternative 'other' option, rejecting the multiple members seeking the speakership as of Tuesday night. That's according to a tally from Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas.

− Ken Tran

Fleischmann eliminated from first ballot

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., was the first candidate eliminated in the first ballot, according to multiple Republican lawmakers on Tuesday

Johnson was the highest vote-getter. The Republican conference is now starting on a second ballot.

− Ken Tran

First round of voting underway

House Republicans have begun voting on the first ballot to select a nominee.

If no candidate earns a majority of the votes, the lowest vote-getter is eliminated from the ballot and a second vote is held. The process repeats until a candidate wins with a majority.

− Ken Tran

Massie gives gloomier odds of electing a speaker this week

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has been regularly offering odds of electing a new speaker, said he had a gloomier forecast for the House after Emmer's withdrawal from the race.

By the end of the week, the House has a 22% chance of electing a new speaker, Massie said.

− Ken Tran

'A number of us' will vote for McCarthy: GOP lawmaker

Rep. John Duarte, R-Calif., told reporters that 'a number of us' will vote for McCarthy in the nomination vote.

McCarthy, Duarte said, is the only candidate who has proven he can unite the conference.

− Ken Tran

House to hold roll call test vote Wednesday morning

House Republicans will hold another roll call vote to test the next nominee's support Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., according to Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.

GOP lawmakers will head home after choosing a nominee tonight. The roll call vote tomorrow will allow the nominee, whoever they are, to gauge the support they have from the conference before heading to the floor.

− Ken Tran

House Freedom Caucus members pass on McCarthy and Jordan partnership

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a member of the ultraconservative freedom caucus confirmed reports to USA TODAY that there were ongoing talks of McCarthy potentially returning to the speakership with Jordan as an assistant speaker.

Norman balked at the prospect, however, and noted it was a longshot proposal.

The proposal was first reported by NBC News.

− Ken Tran

5 House speaker candidates remain after Hern drops out

After Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., dropped out of the race, 5 speaker candidates remain. House Republicans are currently holding another candidate forum behind closed-doors to hear from the speaker prospects.

The candidates are:

• Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.

• Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn.

• Rep Mark Green, R-Tenn.

• Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.

• Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas

− Ken Tran

No speaker election with entire House tonight

The House will not hold a speaker election tonight, according to a notice from House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass.

That means the soonest a speaker election could happen is Wednesday. At that point, the House will have gone 22 days without a speaker.

– Ken Tran

House Republicans will hold another nomination vote today

Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., after dropping out of the race, told reporters House Republicans will hold another nomination vote tonight at 8:00 p.m.

– Ken Tran

Oklahoma Rep. Hern drops out, backs Louisiana Rep. Johnson

Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., shortly after the candidate forum started, announced he would be dropping out if the race and backing Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La. speaker bid.

"We've got to get to 217," Hern said, adding he thinks Johnson can rally the conference behind him. "We need someone that's bigger than an individual and he's the guy."

– Ken Tran

Six candidates in for House speaker race

Six GOP lawmakers will be running for speaker, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. announced in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. They are:

• Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.

• Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn.

• Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn.

• Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla.

• Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.

• Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas– Ken Tran

How did the House speaker race get here?

The chaotic search for a new House speaker began after a handful of hardline Republican lawmakers ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy earlier this month.

• House Democrats refused to vote to save McCarthy and have since refused to lend their support to Republican speaker candidates, including Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Steve Scalise of Louisiana.

• Jordan faced multiple rounds of voting on the House floor before withdrawing from the race.

• Republican lawmakers briefly considered empowering Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who is already serving as an interim speaker, but they ultimately rejected the plan.

Now, with Emmer dropping out of the race after just hours of serving as the Republican nominee, GOP lawmakers will have to select another path to crown a new speaker of the House.

− Marina Pitofsky

House GOP to hold another candidate forum

House Republicans will hold another candidate forum at 6:00 p.m. to hear from prospective speakers again, according to Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio.

− Ken Tran

Who's running for speaker? Hern, Johnson and Donalds back in the race

Following Emmer's sudden exit both from the building and the speaker's race, Reps. Kevin Hern, R-Okla, Mike Johnson, R-La and Byron Donalds, R-Fla. are throwing their hats back in the ring, per a source familiar.

Whether House Republicans proceed with another nomination process and the timing of the process is unclear.

– Ken Tran

Emmer withdraws from speaker race

Just hours after securing the nomination, Emmer withdrew from the speaker's race as the GOP's third nominee, Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas confirmed to reporters.

The move reflects the bitter intraparty infighting that has plagued House Republicans. Moments after becoming the nominee, Emmer faced fierce opposition from conservatives and even former President Donald Trump.House Republicans will have to try for the fourth time to elect a new nominee.– Ken Tran

Will there be a House speaker vote soon? Republicans return to huddle behind closed-doors

House Republicans will reconvene shortly in a closed-door conference meeting to discuss next steps on electing a new speaker.

Emmer's speakership is in peril just hours after the Minnesota Republican was nominated due to a handful of conservative holdouts that say Emmer is too moderate.

– Ken Tran

Did Tom Emmer vote to certify the 2020 election?

Yes, Emmer voted to certify the 2020 election after the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

At the time, Emmer said Congress "does not have the authority" to disregard state electoral results.

“Doing so sets a precedent that I believe undermines the state-based system of elections that defines our Republic,” he said.

– Sudiksha Kochi

Why was Kevin McCarthy removed as speaker?

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was removed as leader last month after Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., led a group of eight Republicans who voted to remove the speaker, joined by 208 Democrats.

The move to oust McCarthy – known as a motion to vacate – had the support of the handful of hard-right lawmakers who expressed anger at McCarthy for working with Democrats to avert a government shutdown last month.

After his removal, McCarthy said he was leaving "the speakership with a sense of pride."

– Ken Tran and Marina Pitofsky

House Republicans, unable to unite behind a speaker, to break for now

House Republicans, following Emmer's nomination and the resulting stiff opposition to the Minnesota Republican, will break until 4:00 p.m. before meeting behind closed doors again, Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., said.

– Ken Tran

Trump comes out more forcefully against Emmer  

Emmer might have won the endorsement of the House Republican caucus, but it sounds like former President Donald Trump will keep working to prevent him from becoming speaker of the House.

Claiming Emmer is "totally out-of-touch with Republican Voters," the former Republican president said on Truth Social Tuesday afternoon that the GOP whip cannot be believed when he says he is "Pro-Trump all the way."

Trump allies have been working against Emmer for days, while the former president himself has been more low-key, publicly. Not anymore

– David Jackson

Is there a speaker of the House yet?

Rep Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., is currently serving as the speaker pro tempore after a handful of Republicans ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif earlier this month.

But McHenry's interim role doesn't carry the powers that an official speaker of the House holds. That means the House can't consider legislation until they elect another speaker, and they can't work on crucial priorities such as funding packages to avoid a government shutdown.

− Marina Pitofsky

Tom Emmer's speaker fight: Is Trump's influence on House Republicans waning?  

Republicans who oppose former President Donald Trump say the impasse over selecting a House speaker has had one benefit: It suggests that Trump's influence within the party may be waning.

First, Trump tried to install ally Jim Jordan as House speaker, and that effort failed.

Then Trump and allies tried to block Emmer, but he racked up a majority of House Republicans, though not enough to win the job.

"Trump can't deliver a Speaker either," Republican consultant Mike Madrid, shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

– David Jackson

Marjorie Taylor Greene didn't back Tom Emmer, voted for Jim Jordan

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., told USA TODAY she voted for Jordan in the internal secret vote.

Greene is currently one of the holdouts against Emmer.

– Ken Tran

Emmer courts Republican holdouts with a public approach

Mike Johnson, R-La, Emmer's top rival who ultimately lost in the final ballot, said Emmer vowed to not "break up into smaller rooms" and hold separate private meetings with the Republican holdouts who have refused to support him.

Instead, Johnson said Emmer is staying in the room with all of the holdouts to consolidate their differences. One of the main concerns he said, is that they want "new blood" as they consider the next speaker

Johnson himself said he would supporting Emmer on the floor.

– Ken Tran

Will the House vote on a speaker?

It's not clear.

Emmer currently does not have the votes needed to become speaker, and while he could decide to move forward with a speaker election that includes the entire House, it's not certain he will do that today.

Emmer is currently taking questions to alleviate concerns from GOP holdouts behind closed doors.– Ken Tran

What happens now in the House speaker fight? Emmer currently fielding questions

Emmer, already facing opposition just minutes after being nominated, is currently fielding questions from lawmakers skeptical of the Minnesota Republican, according to Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif.

– Ken Tran

GOP lawmaker says at least 20 holdouts against Emmer

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., leaving the House Republicans' closed-door meeting, told reporters there were at least 20 GOP holdouts against Emmer.

It is unclear if Emmer will decide to go the floor today even if he does not have the votes needed to be elected speaker.

– Ken Tran

Emmer's support to be tested in internal vote

Following Emmer's victory securing the nomination, House Republicans will now hold an internal roll call voice vote on whether members will support Emmer on the floor.

The vote will give Emmer and his allies critical information on potential holdouts before a speaker election.

But Emmer clinched the nomination by a narrow vote of 117-97, according to Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif. So depending on how the internal roll call vote pans out, Emmer could have an steep uphill climb to the votes he needs for the speakership.

– Ken Tran

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., has secured the nomination

Emmer won the Republican nomination in an internal vote on Tuesday.

Securing the nomination is just the first step however. Emmer will now have to shore up support ahead of a floor vote that could happen as early as today.

It is unclear whether Emmer can successfully rally the near-unanimous support he needs to be elected speaker.

− Ken Tran

Who is Congressman Tom Emmer?

Emmer was considered the strongest candidate heading into today's nomination vote.

The Minnesota Republican is currently the No. 3 ranking House Republican serving as House Majority Whip.

Emmer also served as chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm of House Republicans, from 2019 to 2023.

– Ken Tran

Hern and Donalds out of speaker's race

Following the fourth ballot, Reps. Kevin Hern, R-Okla and Byron Donalds, R-Fla., are out of the race, according to Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind.

The conference will head to a fifth ballot with Reps. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and Mike Johnson, R-La., remaining.

− Ken Tran

GOP lawmaker: House Republicans to blame for speaker chaos

Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., admitted the past three weeks without a speaker have been "chaotic" and added there is no one to blame but the House Republican conference.

"We need to get a speaker in. And that's not anybody else's fault but the Republican conference in the U.S. House of Representatives."

− Ken Tran

4 candidates left in speaker nomination

Just four candidates are left as the House GOP heads to a fourth ballot: Reps. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.; Mike Johnson, R-La.; Byron Donalds, R-Fla.; and Kevin Hern, R-Okla.

A nominee will be selected after a candidate wins a majority.− Ken Tran

Third ballot is over, Scott eliminated

Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., was the third candidate eliminated in the nomination vote, said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.

− Ken Tran

Crenshaw suggests electing a speaker by plurality

Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, suggested the House should elect a speaker by a plurality vote, meaning instead of a majority vote, only the candidate with the most votes is elected speaker instead.

This would effectively threaten any potential holdouts against a nominee. If any GOP holdouts vote against a Republican speaker, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., could become speaker.

"Let's see if they want to vote for a Democrat, see if they hate their own party that much," he told reporters.

− Ken Tran

Bergman second candidate eliminated from ballot

Bergman was the second candidate to be eliminated following the second ballot, Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, told reporters.

− Ken Tran

House GOP to hold vote to test nominee's support

Once House Republicans select a nominee, the conference will hold an internal voice roll call vote to test the nominee's support, according to Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C.

That means each member will have to make clear to the conference whether they will support the nominee.

When Jordan was the nominee earlier, the conference held a similar vote, but it was done by secret ballot so members did not know who was against a Jordan speakership.

− Ken Tran

Emmer wins most votes in first ballot

Following the first ballot, Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told reporters that Emmer was the top vote-getter.

− Ken Tran

Sessions eliminated out of speaker's race

Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas was the first candidate to be eliminated from the conference's nomination vote.

Stefanik announced the conference was moving to a second ballot following Sessions' elimination.

− Ken Tran

Who are the candidates for speaker?

The field of GOP lawmakers gunning for the top job is a crowded one – there are eight candidates vying for the nomination. They are:

• Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.

• Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla.

• Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.

• Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.

• Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga.

• Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich.

• Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas

– Ken Tran

And then there were seven: Gary Palmer drops out of House speaker race

Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., dropped out of the speaker's race before the nomination vote began behind closed-doors.

"Congress and the American people needed a Republican speaker three weeks ago," Palmer said in a statement. "If withdrawing my name can help expedite that process even a little, then I will gladly step aside."− Ken Tran

Scalise: 'It's about unifying our conference'

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who was the conference's first nominee but withdrew due to a lack of support, told reporters all the candidates have strong visions to lead Republicans.

"Everybody's talking about the same things. It's about unifying our conference," Scalise said, noting that the immediate problem the House must address is aid to Israel.

− Ken Tran

Trump won't endorse Emmer (or anyone else) for House speaker

Donald Trump says he is staying out of this race for House Speaker, but he has made it clear he's not crazy about one of the leading candidates: Tom Emmer.

The former president and current 2024 candidate pointedly refused to endorse Emmer even as he confirmed that the House Majority Whip had called him over the weekend about the speaker's job.

“Well, I think he’s my biggest fan now because he called me yesterday and he told me, ‘I’m your biggest fan' - so I don’t know about that," Trump told reporters in New Hampshire on Monday as he filed to run in the state's primary.

Trump, who backed Jim Jordan for speaker the last time around, said of the current Speaker's race: "We're looking at a lot of people ... I’m sort of trying to stay out of that as much as possible."

Trump clashed with Emmer over strategy for the 2022 congressional elections. The rift has apparently not healed, and Trump associates are all over social media and talk radio opposing Emmer as well.

−David Jackson

Dan Meuser drops out of House speaker race

Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., dropped out of the speaker's race at the House GOP candidate forum Monday evening.

Meuser gave opening remarks in the forum but then announced he would exit the race. The Pennsylvania Republican received a standing ovation after he made his announcement according to Reps. Thomas Massie R-Ky. and Troy Nehls, R-Texas.− Ken Tran

Third time's the charm? GOP lawmakers feeling optimistic

Leaving the candidate forum Monday evening where the eight prospective speakers made their pitch to House Republicans, GOP lawmakers felt optimistic about electing a speaker by the end of the week.

Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., gave the House “slightly better than 50/50” odds, a relatively sanguine prediction given the gridlock that has prevented House Republicans from electing a new speaker for three weeks now.

Other lawmakers gave even better odds – they think they can get this done tonight.

“I think we’re gonna solve this tomorrow night,” Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said Monday. “People know we gotta  come together and get this done.”

− Ken Tran

Some House Republicans pass on unity pledge to support nominee

In a bid to avoid another failed speaker election, Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., has been circulating a unity pledge in the House GOP conference asking lawmakers to sign the pledge promising to support the conference’s nominee regardless of who they turn out to be.

But ahead of an internal nomination vote, some GOP lawmakers aren’t too keen on pledging their vote until they know who the nominee is.

“I think we need to focus on making sure somebody’s gonna lead this party in the right direction,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus told reporters Monday, declining to commit to signing Flood’s pledge.

– Ken Tran

How soon could a speaker election be held?

A speaker election could happen as soon as House Republicans select a nominee but it’s unclear if GOP lawmakers would want to do that.

Depending on the nomination process and how much support the nominee earns, the conference could give time for the speaker-designee to shore up support before a vote on the floor.

– Ken Tran

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House Republicans nominate Mike Johnson for speaker: What you missed