Mike Johnson is expected to come up short in his bid to remain speaker on the first ballot.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) voted against him in the alphabetical roll call vote. The vote is ongoing.
Johnson has waged an aggressive pressure campaign to try to earn the support of several conservatives who were publicly undecided headed into the vote. President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly endorsed Johnson, including most recently on Friday morning. He’s also indicated to members that he would be unhappy if a speakership fight delayed his agenda.
Balloting will continue until a speaker is elected. Until the House elects a speaker, the chamber is essentially frozen. If members don’t wrap up voting by Monday, it could complicate efforts to officially certify Trump’s presidential win.
Democrats have hung together to deny Johnson a lifeline. All of them have voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
