House Majority Whip Tom Emmer expressed confidence in House Speaker Mike Johnson's ability to retain the gavel, stating that Johnson has the necessary votes to secure the position. In order to be elected speaker, Johnson must obtain a majority of votes out of all votes cast during the upcoming House session.
It is anticipated that there will be one vacant seat during the vote, as former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida has announced that he will not be taking the seat he was elected to in the new Congress. With 434 members in total, comprising 219 Republicans and 215 Democrats, the winning threshold stands at 218 votes if all members participate in the voting process.
However, Johnson's margin for error is slim, as he can only afford a single defection from within the GOP ranks if every lawmaker is present and casts their vote. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has already declared that he will not be supporting Johnson, and approximately a dozen more House Republicans have yet to confirm their backing for him.
