Reversals and Rules
The lower chamber of Congress is open for business.
With a dash of the drama we’ve come to expect from the House, Mike Johnson (R-LA) secured the minimum 218 votes needed for reelection as Speaker in Friday’s floor vote. Three Republicans voted for other candidates at first, but two changed their votes after Johnson and President-elect Trump lobbied for party unity.
After a gavel pound, Johnson’s acceptance remarks, and lots of swearing (in), 434 representatives took their seats for the 119th Congress.
The first item checked off the to-do list was adopting a rules package that, among other things, raises the threshold for forcing a vote to oust the speaker to nine GOP members (it was previously one). Johnson says he’s “100%” confident he’ll keep the gavel for his two-year term.
Verse to consider when you’re getting down to business… “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23–24 (CSB) (read full passage)