Mike Johnson clinches Speakership: How many votes he secured?

Mike Johnson has been reelected US House of Representatives Speaker again after a tense and dramatic floor vote on the opening day of Congress on Friday.

As two republican opponents converted their votes to support him over half an hour of negotiations, Mike has secured his second term as Speaker of the House with a minimum number needed 218 votes, despite early doubts and defections from key Republicans.

For reelecting to the chamber’s top job, the lengthy vote highlighted persistent divisions among Donald Trump’s Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Winning over GOP critics to retain the gavel, Johnson was re-elected speaker on the first ballot.

Earlier this week, Trump endorsed the Louisiana Republican, but whether his support will be enough is unclear. According to Trump, Johnson is close to achieving 100% support.

Some members have grown gradually unsatisfied with Johnson’s leadership and his handling of funding fights. The recent short-term spending bill is among them.

Trump posted online on Friday that a win for Mike today would be a big win for the Republican Party. However, Donald Trump returns to the White House on Inauguration Day, January 20.