Rep. Mike Johnson is sworn in as the 56th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. The House has been without leadership since former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out by his own party three weeks ago. Johnson represents western Louisiana, and is a low-ranking member of the House GOP.
He is the fourth Republican to be offered as Speaker of the House since McCarthy was ousted in a historic loss of party confidence. Representatives Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Tom Emmer of Minnesota all failed to be elected. Johnson received the vote of every Republican member of the House of Representatives, while Democrat Hakeem Jeffries got the votes of all the Democrats.
“If you wish to assume this awesome responsibility, raise your right hand,” he was told during the swearing-in ceremony. He raised his hand and accepted the job. He is now the second in line to the presidency, behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
