House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has received a key endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump in his efforts to remain leader of the House.
Johnson faces a difficult vote on Friday, with a narrow majority in the next Congress and rebellion among some Republicans over his handling of the government funding bill before lawmakers leave for recess.
“Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hardworking, religious man,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He'll do the right thing, and we'll keep winning. Mike has my full and complete endorsement. MAGA!!!
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said he will not vote for Johnson, who cannot afford to lose more than one or two votes in the next election. Other lawmakers, like Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Indiana) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), were noncommittal.
Republicans will get 220 seats in the next Congress, compared to 215 for Democrats. This makes 218 the magic number for a majority vote, although that can vary if members vote “present” or not.
There has been growing speculation that Trump is backing away from Johnson, after the president-elect posted on social media on Sunday that he was unhappy that the debt limit issue would continue to escalate in his next term. Trump had sought to include an increase in debt limits in the latest financing deal, but that was left out of the final legislation passed by Congress.
“Thank you, President Trump!,” Johnson wrote on X, shortly after endorsing Trump. I am honored and humbled by your support, as always. Together, we will quickly achieve the America First agenda and usher in America's new golden age. The American people demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let's get to work!
