Mike Johnson of Louisiana elected speaker of the U.S. House after three weeks of stalemate

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Wednesday voted for Louisiana’s Mike Johnson as speaker in a chamber that has been frozen for more than three weeks after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted.

In a 220-209 party-line vote, all Republicans present backed Johnson. All Democrats present voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York nominated Johnson, 51, who represents his state’s 4th District, saying the conservative congressman “epitomizes what it means to be a leader.”

“Today is the day that House Republicans will humbly look in our hearts and elect Mike Johnson as speaker of the people’s House,” Stefanik said.

Democratic Conference Chair Pete Aguilar of California nominated Jeffries, calling him a “far contrast from who Republicans nominated.”

“The most pressing needs of everyday Americans are his North Star,” Aguilar said.

Johnson, who does not have a strong bipartisan track record, will be tasked with working with the Democratic-controlled Senate on a quickly approaching Nov.17 government funding deadline, and critical legislation such as the recent nearly $106 billion supplemental request from the Biden administration to fund Ukraine, Israel and global aid and U.S border security.

Johnson has voted against several recent bipartisan pieces of legislation such as the infrastructure law, a gun safety bill signed into law and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

Johnson was one of more than 100 House Republicans who voted to block Pennsylvania and Arizona’s 2020 presidential election results following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

In advance of the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6 Johnson led a statement with 36 fellow Republicans outlining opposition to the Electoral College results in Georgia and Michigan as well.

This is a developing story that will be updated.