House speaker live updates: Will Republicans crown Mike Johnson after weeks of infighting?

WASHINGTON — House Republicans are on the cusp of electing a new speaker in Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., after three weeks of infighting over who should lead the lower chamber.

After four nomination votes, GOP lawmakers were seemingly able to rally behind Johnson, who is the No. 5 ranking House Republican as the conference's vice chair. Flanked by an exuberant conference cheering his name on Tuesday, Johnson vowed he was "very confident" he could shore up the support needed to be elected speaker on the House floor.

"Democracy is messy sometimes, but it is our system. This conference that you see, this House Republican majority, is united," Johnson said Tuesday evening.

The Louisiana lawmaker's election isn't guaranteed, however. No Republicans voted against Johnson in an internal vote, but 19 members were absent during the vote, meaning their stance on the Republican is unclear.

Regardless, GOP lawmakers left the Capitol Hill room where they huddled for hours on Tuesday night, ecstatic at the prospect of finally crowning a new leader to revive the House, which has been in a state of total legislative paralysis without a formal leader

Follow along for live updates on the speaker election with USA TODAY.

Did Johnson vote to certify the 2020 election?

No, Johnson voted to overturn the results of the 2020 race for the White House. He also rallied Republican lawmakers around former President Donald Trump's legal effort to target the results of the election.

A reporter asked Johnson about his efforts on Tuesday night, and Republican lawmakers booed the journalist.

Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., was seen yelling "shut up."

– Marina Pitofsky

How did the House speaker race get here?

The chaotic search for a new House speaker began after a handful of hardline Republican lawmakers ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., earlier this month.

House Democrats refused to vote to save McCarthy and have since refused to lend their support to Republican speaker candidates, including Reps. Steve Scalise, R-La.; Jim Jordan, R-Ohio and Tom Emmer, R-La.

Jordan faced multiple rounds of voting on the House floor before withdrawing from the race.

Republican lawmakers briefly considered empowering Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who is already serving as an interim speaker, but they ultimately rejected the plan.

Late Wednesday night, GOP lawmakers nominated Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La. as their latest speaker pick.– Marina Pitofsky

Who is the speaker of the House?

Rep Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., is currently serving as the speaker pro tempore after a handful of Republicans ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif

 earlier this month.

But McHenry's interim role doesn't carry the powers that an official speaker of the House holds. That means the House can't consider legislation until they elect another speaker, and they can't work on crucial priorities such as funding packages to avoid a government shutdown.

− Marina Pitofsky

A boost for Johnson's speaker prospects? Thomas Massie announces support

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., one of the few members who voted "present" Tuesday evening during Johnson's nomination vote announced on X, formerly Twitter, that he would be supporting the Louisiana Republican on the floor Wednesday in another boost for Johnson's strong showing of support ahead of the speaker election.

"After speaking with him this morning, I’m committed to vote for Mike Johnson when we go to the floor of the House," Massie said. "He has my full support."

– Ken Tran

When is the speaker election?

The House will hold a speaker election at noon Wednesday.

Republicans are expected to nominate Johnson, while Democrats are expected to nominate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

– Ken Tran

Who is Mike Johnson?

Louisiana Republican Rep. Mike Johnson, a deputy whip and constitutional lawyer known for his fiery exchanges on the House Judiciary Committee, is the fourth nominee chosen by his GOP peers to serve as speaker.

The vice chair of the House Republican Conference faces steep odds to get the 217 votes needed to win the gavel, especially considering he already has more than 40 votes against him. Those holdouts mostly favor ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

Johnson, 51, was a state representative for two years before being elected to Congress in 2016 and quickly rising in the ranks. In addition to the Judiciary committee, Johnson serves on the House Armed Services Committee and previously served a term as chairman of the Republican Study Committee.

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree and law degree from Louisiana State University, and he and his wife of 24 years, Kelly Johnson, have four children.

As speaker he would “chart a new path,” he told colleagues in a letter last weekend.

Johnson said the country is facing “one of the most fateful moments” in its history, citing the attack on Israel, emboldened foreign adversaries, high national debt, a southern border that is “overrun” and more.

“I have a clear vision and plan for how to lead us through these unprecedented challenges,” he said.