House Speaker Mike Johnson's allies are emphasizing a crucial point to prevent a potential floor fight over the speaker's gavel on Friday. A vote against Johnson could potentially delay the finalization of Donald Trump's victory in the White House.
With Johnson endorsed by Trump for the top leadership position, efforts are underway to secure support from several GOP members who remain undecided. The fear among some Republicans is that a prolonged floor battle could ensue if consensus is not reached before the speaker's election.
The looming uncertainty is compounded by the unprecedented situation of Congress having to certify a presidential election without a House speaker in place. Senior Republicans acknowledge the lack of clarity on the implications of not having a speaker on January 6, the day scheduled for Congress to certify Trump's win, and are keen to avoid such a scenario.
Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska highlighted the potential consequences of opposing Johnson, warning that it could weaken the GOP, bolster Hakeem Jeffries, and jeopardize the Electoral College Certification slated for January 6. The absence of a speaker poses a significant challenge as the House cannot conduct official business without one, leaving no apparent means to certify Trump's victory.
Congressional parliamentarians have advised party leaders to elect a speaker before January 6 to ensure the smooth progression of proceedings. Republicans are mindful of the limited timeframe to advance their legislative agenda once they assume control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. Trump's inauguration is set for January 20, contingent upon the certification of election results by Congress.
