• 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
  • MTG shows censored nude pictures of Hunter Biden during IRS whistleblower hearing
  • Speaker Johnson hits back at Senate opposition to House GOP Israel aid bill: ‘Does not line up with reality’
  • Capitol Police stop youth choir during national anthem performance, sparking outrage: ‘I was shocked’
  • Texas lawsuit seeks at least $17M in Medicaid reimbursements from Planned Parenthood
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

Hunter Biden attended 4 state dinners as Rosemont Seneca chairman,...

September 6, 2023

Biden parallels? How Carter fared against Reagan in this stage...

March 15, 2024

Biden calls for ‘more action’ after Texas mall shooting, asks...

May 8, 2023

DC council softens penalties for violent crimes by overriding mayor’s...

January 17, 2023

Connecticut Gov. Lamont calls for more gun bans, higher buying...

January 27, 2023

Here are the top moments from Trump’s ‘Hannity’ town hall

December 6, 2023

Netanyahu, Israel blast UN court decision over illegal settlements ruling:...

July 19, 2024

Steve Scalise, McCarthy’s longtime No. 2, announces bid for House...

October 5, 2023

Biden administration concerned over corruption in Ukraine but still supports...

October 3, 2023

Trump fires back at critics slamming his town hall: ‘did...

May 12, 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

    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right Now

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025
    • U.S. foreign tax bill sends jitters across Wall Street

      May 30, 2025
    • Amazon taps Xbox co-founder to lead new team developing ‘breakthrough’ consumer products

      May 30, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

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

      June 27, 2024 2,765 views
    • 2

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

      August 9, 2024 2,472 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,451 views
    • 4

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

      July 10, 2024 2,432 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,308 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,581)

    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

    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right...

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,581)

    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

    Israeli PM Netanyahu tells Bret Baier...

    September 23, 2023

    Alabama lawmakers approve harsher penalties for...

    April 7, 2023

    Biden administration granted sanctions relief to...

    May 11, 2024
    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