Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., is congratulated by Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., left, in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol after Johnson won the speakership for the 119th Congress Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (Tom Williams)
"Welp, it only took a few minutes for the GOP to run this train right off its tracks — not voting for their own Speaker of the House," Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., said in a post on social media. "Was hoping we could leave the dysfunction in 2024 and work for the American people! But we’re headed to a round two of Speaker votes."
But the sentiment changed after Johnson won the gavel in just one round. One Democrat credited Johnson for securing the speakership in a single vote after it took Republican lawmakers four days to elect a speaker in January 2023.
GOP REBELS SWITCH VOTE TO JOHNSON AFTER TRUMP'S 11TH HOUR CALLS, PUSHING HIM OVER THE FINISH LINE
"To his credit Mike Johnson learned from the 15 round debacle of 2 years ago. Instead of trying to jam his conference with a quick second round he held the vote open while some backroom arm twisting & hand wringing took place. The result: 2 changed vote, enough to win the gavel," Rep. Hank Johnson, R-Ga., said.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said, "We have a Speaker — for now!" (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)
Democratic lawmakers voted unanimously for Representative-elect Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
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"215 @HouseDemocrats stand united behind our Leader @RepJeffries. First round. Every round," Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., said in a post on X after the vote.
Aubrie Spady is a Writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democrats-have-mixed-reaction-johnsons-speaker-victory-hell-has-frozen-over