Johnson expresses confidence ahead of Friday's Speaker vote

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Thursday expressed confidence about his chances ahead of the House’s Speaker vote on Friday.

“We’re going to get this done,” Johnson said in an interview on “Fox & Friends.” “I’m humbled and honored to have President Trump’s endorsement for the role again.”

Johnson pointed to the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, noting that serious issues are happening across the country.

“The things that we’re talking about this morning are an illustration that we live in very serious times,” Johnson said.

The Speaker argued the country and Congress cannot afford drama.

“We have got to get the Congress started, which begins tomorrow, and we have to get immediately to work,” he said. “We have to certify the election of President Donald J. Trump on January 6, on Monday, and we have many important things pressing on us right now, so there’s no time to waste. We have to stay unified.”

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) faced 15 ballots before he was successfully named Speaker in 2023.

Johnson doesn't face as large a number of critics as McCarthy, but he has little room for maneuvering. The GOP will start with a 219-215 advantage, but Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has said he will not vote for Johnson, which brings his number to 218.

If all members are present, Johnson would need 218 votes to be elected Speaker.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) has yet to say whether he will back Johnson, and a handful of other votes are in question.

Trump gave Johnson a boost, handing him an endorsement to continue leading the House. But it is not clear whether that will get him over the top.

If some members choose to vote present, it could help Johnson. For example, if Roy voted present and every other Republican aside from Massie voted for Johnson, he would win on the first ballot. Roy's present vote would leave 233 members present and voting, meaning 217 votes for Johnson would be a majority.

All 215 Democrats are expected to vote for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Calif.). If any of them miss the vote, it also could affect the outcome.

“It’s a numbers game. We have the smallest margin in U.S. history,” Johnson said Thursday. “We’ll have a margin of probably two votes tomorrow during that so, [I] can only afford to lose one or two.”

“But I think we’ll get it done,” he continued. “I really do.”