Reps in Disarray

Giving y’all an open thread to discuss the mischief in the House…

Hard-right Republicans appeared set to sink Representative Mike Johnson’s first bid to be re-elected speaker on Friday, refusing to back him and instead naming other G.O.P. lawmakers to lead the House in the new Congress.

With three defectors opposing his bid, Mr. Johnson was two votes short of the 218-vote majority necessary to win another term as speaker. In a tense and confusing scene on the House floor, as Republicans feverishly calculated how much support Mr. Johnson would need to clinch the gavel, he won 216 votes, while Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the Democratic leader, won 215.

And the scene that played during the voting reflected the deep divisions within Republican ranks. In addition to the defectors who voted for others, several more far-right G.O.P. members initially withheld their votes for Mr. Johnson, staring straight ahead silently as their names were called, in a clear rebuke to the Louisiana Republican that for a time made it appear as if Mr. Jeffries was on track to prevail.

But they cast their votes at the last moment in support of Mr. Johnson.

With all members present and voting, Mr. Johnson needs a majority of 218, leaving him room to lose only a single Republican if Democrats continue to unanimously support Mr. Jeffries. (Republicans hold 219 seats and Democrats 215).