Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News Digital that he is intending to remain in House GOP leadership in 2025.
He also gave Fox News Digital a preview of what he wants Congress to focus on in 2025, expressing confidence that the GOP would go into the new year having kept the House majority and won the Senate and White House.
"We would absolutely turn our attention to securing the border and ending the catastrophe that the Biden administration has created. Obviously, we would continue to address the China threat and increase our stature on the world stage. That's what the White House would be focused on, and we would give assistance in the House in every way possible," he said.
Johnson also listed bolstering U.S. defense capabilities, tax reform, and exploring weaponization of the federal government as other priorities, as well as legislative advances on artificial intelligence.
"We'd have a very aggressive first 100 days of the Congress agenda, and we're kind of excited about that prospect," Johnson said.
Johnson became speaker after ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
McCarthy agreed to lower the threshold from a House majority to just one person being able to trigger a vote to recall the House leader as part of a deal with critics to win the gavel in January 2023.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Johnson said he never advocated for a rule change but expected that a majority of his lawmakers would want to move forward. Dozens of House Republicans criticized the eight that voted to oust McCarthy, arguing that it projected historic levels of instability under their leadership.
"The motion to vacate is something that comes up a lot amongst members in discussion, and I expect there will probably be a change to that as well. But just so you know, I've never advocated for that. I'm not one who's making it an issue, because I don't think it is one for now," he said Wednesday.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
Subscribed
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/speaker-johnson-aims-stay-leader-house-gop-2025-vows-very-aggressive-first-100-days