| 25 October 2023
| Christie Anto
Washington D.C., USA - In a decisive move aimed at resolving weeks of political turmoil and gridlock, Republicans in the United States have nominated Mike Johnson as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives. This decision came mere hours after their previous choice, Tom Emmer, withdrew his candidacy amid deep-seated party infighting that has brought the nation's political machinery to a grinding halt.
Mike Johnson, hailing from the southern state of Louisiana, now stands as the fourth Republican to secure the party's nomination for the coveted Speaker's chair. This position has remained vacant since a faction of far-right party rebels ousted Kevin McCarthy on October 3, resulting in political paralysis that has hindered the country's ability to respond to pressing international crises and avert a looming government shutdown on November 18.
The nomination of Johnson comes in the wake of the unexpected withdrawal of Tom Emmer, the third most senior Republican in the House, who cited opposition from party hardliners as the reason for his exit from the race. This development raises the question of whether Johnson, a constitutional lawyer who has positioned himself as a unifying force within the party, can bridge the deep divides that have plagued the GOP in recent weeks.
To secure the position of Speaker, nominees must garner at least 217 votes. Given the slim Republican majority in the House, with 221 Republican representatives to the Democrats' 212, candidates are in a precarious position as they cannot afford to lose support. In a rare occurrence in American politics, the opposition party may play a decisive role in the selection of the Speaker, further complicating the matter.
During a private balloting, Mike Johnson secured a majority of votes, setting the stage for an anticipated House floor vote scheduled for Wednesday. Following his nomination, lawmakers chanted "Mike! Mike! Mike!" at a press conference and showed their support by posing for selfies. Kevin Hern, a Republican representative who had previously vied for the position, withdrew his own candidacy in support of Johnson, emphasizing the need for a leader who can rally the party around its policies.
Since Kevin McCarthy's departure, a total of 14 Republicans have entered the Speaker race, with Emmer's withdrawal reportedly influenced by former President Donald Trump's public opposition. Emmer's decision stemmed from his break with Trump on the certification of President Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election, a point of contention within the Republican Party.
Donald Trump, who is gearing up for a presidential run in 2024, had previously endorsed Jim Jordan for the Speaker position, but this effort was abandoned after Jordan faced consecutive defeats in floor votes. Before that, the focus was on Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, who withdrew when he failed to secure enough votes.
In light of the ongoing Republican turmoil, Democrats have expressed a willingness to support a compromise candidate who could help the House function effectively. However, many Republicans remain steadfast in their principle of not supporting a nominee who garners backing from the opposition party.
Top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the need for a bipartisan path forward, stating on social media, "We must pursue a bipartisan path forward and reopen the House."
The ongoing political uncertainty has not only paralyzed legislative decision-making but has also had economic repercussions, contributing to rising government borrowing costs. The U.S. government recently posted a record $1.7 trillion deficit for the most recent fiscal year, partly attributed to increased interest payments as a result of the political turmoil.
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