Incumbent Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) fell short of the required 218 votes amid growing dissent within his own party.
The Republican Party, holding a narrow 219-215 majority, faced internal divisions that thwarted Johnson’s re-election bid.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), known for his libertarian-leaning principles and emphasis on fiscal conservatism, cast a surprising vote for Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN).
Meanwhile, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) held firm to his support for Jim Jordan (R-OH), the firebrand conservative and a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus.
In another unexpected twist, Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) abandoned his previous position and cast his vote for Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), a rising star in conservative circles.
Ahead of the crucial vote, a group of conservatives and potential opposition to Speaker Mike Johnson rally around a document critical of the 118th Congress’s legislative record.
The unnamed author of the document has compiled a “scorecard” highlighting what Johnson’s critics see as a series of legislative failures under his leadership.
SCOOP: A group of conservatives and potential opposition votes against Speaker Mike Johnson are circulating a document laying out a “scorecard” that lists multiple failures of the 118th Congress.
While the author remains unnamed, it hits the talking points being shared by… pic.twitter.com/nfoaAVTJs5
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) January 3, 2025
This is a developing story.