Mike Johnson Elected Speaker of the House

In a closely contested vote, Mike Johnson secured the speakership of the House of Representatives after initially facing challenges from Republican holdouts, ultimately winning with 218 votes against Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries' 215. The process mirrored previous struggles for the speakership, highlighting the slim Republican majority of 219-215, which allows little room for dissent. Johnson's victory enables the House to function again, as lack of a speaker had paralyzed legislative activities, including the swearing-in of new members and the ability to pass crucial bills. He has committed to pursuing significant government and spending reforms and addressing oversight of federal agencies. The earlier failure to secure the speakership on the first ballot raised concerns among Democrats about potential ongoing chaos akin to the previous Congress. The situation underscores the challenges Johnson faces in achieving unity within a divided party.