GOP freshmen rally around Mike Johnson ahead of critical House speaker vote

Incoming GOP freshmen are urging their colleagues to act swiftly to elect Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to a second term so Republicans can immediately begin preparing for President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House and enact his agenda.

The House is set to convene on Friday to elect its next speaker, a required procedure before lawmakers can be sworn in for the 119th Congress. Johnson will be working with a historically slim margin of just 219-215, meaning he can only afford to lose one Republican vote if all members are present and voting.