• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy How the GOP conference came together to elect Mike Johnson as speaker, despite McCarthy meddling
Economy

How the GOP conference came together to elect Mike Johnson as speaker, despite McCarthy meddling

by October 26, 2023
by October 26, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Newly-minted Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., managed to unite one of the most fractured House Republican Conferences in modern history on Wednesday, but he was hardly considered a frontrunner to replace ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

Johnson was elected by a unanimous House Republican caucus, ending three weeks of turmoil and multiple failed attempts to fill the speakership after McCarthy’s historic ousting. The GOP finally coalesced around Johnson Tuesday following a late-night conference vote behind closed doors. 

‘I think he has it,’ a GOP lawmaker who was in the room during the vote told Fox News Digital at the time. But it came after a marathon day of meetings where several lawmakers jostled for the title of speaker. Tensions, at times, ran high.

Two GOP lawmakers in the room said that McCarthy had objected to suspending conference rules to expedite making Johnson speaker-designate, after Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., dropped out of the race over seemingly insurmountable opposition. 

‘That’s not how you elect a speaker,’ the two lawmakers recalled McCarthy saying. One of the two lawmakers agreed with McCarthy, the other was opposed.

The latter described it as an ‘outburst’ and accused McCarthy of working behind the scenes against every speaker-designate thus far including Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Emmer.

‘If you’ll notice, he’s endorsed all of them. They all got clobbered after that,’ the Republican said. ‘All [he wants] to do is get back in power.’

A source familiar with discussions said McCarthy attempted to block Johnson only when it became clear he had the votes to win.

The source also said McCarthy refused to endorse Scalise after he got the GOP nomination two weeks ago. And later, when Jordan began to lose support, the source said McCarthy worked behind the scenes to put his weight behind a resolution to empower interim Speaker Patrick McHenry, R-N.C.

The possibility of a McCarthy return became tangible at one point on Tuesday — multiple sources confirmed to Fox News Digital that a plan was being floated to reinstate McCarthy and give Jordan some sort of assistant speaker position. 

A GOP aide told Fox News Digital of that plan ahead of the Wednesday speaker vote that it was McCarthy attempting to ‘seize power again last night by floating a dumb idea.’ 

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., fully blamed McCarthy for putting the House in a state of paralysis ahead of the vote on Johnson Wednesday. Mace was one of eight Republicans who voted along with Democrats to oust the ex-speaker.

‘He was orchestrating and manipulating the entire situation, including organizing people to vote against Mike Johnson last night. So I’m going to put that on the former speaker. I’m not going to put that on the conference,’ Mace said. 

During the second closed-door speaker election  the day, multiple lawmakers told reporters that dozens of holdouts not voting for the nominees were voting for McCarthy.

But Johnson nevertheless wound up scoring a decisive victory on Tuesday night when, during a roll call vote after he won the election, every Republican present vowed to support him behind closed doors. 

Fox News Digital reached out to McCarthy’s office but did not immediately hear back.

Fox News’ Tyler Olson contributed to this report

Elizabeth Elkind is a reporter for Fox News Digital focused on Congress as well as the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Biden takes aim at MAGA Republicans in Virginia Beach health care speech: ‘Different breed of cat’
  • Federal appeals court denies Michael Cohen’s attempt to revive lawsuit against Trump
  • Timeline of decades-long Israeli-Arab, Palestinian conflict
  • NYC charges 6 in straw donor scheme to help elect Adams as mayor
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Republicans celebrate newly minted House Speaker Mike Johnson’s gavel ascension: ‘Servant leadership’
next post
Ticketmaster’s hidden fees remain common long after it vowed to scrap them

You may also like

New ‘Orwellian’ HHS pronoun mandate forces employees to ‘deny reality,’...

November 9, 2023

Effort to ban mask mandates on public transportation gains steam...

September 13, 2023

Retired rear admiral praises Secret Service’s cocaine investigation despite not...

July 17, 2023

New Mexico Democrat governor’s sweeping gun order hits major temporary...

September 14, 2023

Marianne Williamson launches campaign against Biden, vows to fight ‘forces...

March 5, 2023

Biden administration asks Supreme Court to take up major abortion...

September 9, 2023

Conservative activist subpoenaed by Dems in SCOTUS ethics probe refusing...

April 12, 2024

AOC slammed for saying ‘false accusations’ of antisemitism are ‘wielded...

June 11, 2024

Whatever happened to … the investigations into the Chinese spy...

July 14, 2023

Just 1 in 4 Michigan Democrats enthusiastic about Biden being...

December 15, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout, pulls outlook

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025
    • The Unpredictable Stock Market: How to Make Sense of It

      May 8, 2025
    • AMD CEO calls China a ‘large opportunity’ and warns against strict U.S. chip controls

      May 7, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,633 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,339 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,321 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,303 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,186 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout,...

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Trump could get Congressional Gold Medal...

    May 15, 2024

    House advances legislation mandating AI training...

    July 14, 2023

    White House, Hunter Biden’s team keep...

    September 19, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here