Mike Johnson elected new US House Speaker

WASHINGTON

Republicans in the House of Representatives elected Rep. Mike Johnson on Wednesday as the new House Speaker, weeks after the removal of Kevin McCarthy.

Johnson secured 220 votes, while Democrat Hakeem Jeffries received 209. Johnson enjoyed unanimous support from Republicans, with the exception of one absentee Republican, Van Orden.

The lawmaker from the state of Louisiana was the fourth Republican to be nominated for the job.

Johnson said it was the "honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House," as he thanked his colleagues

"As Speaker, I will ensure the House delivers results and inspires change for the American people. We will restore trust in this body. We will advance a comprehensive conservative policy agenda, combat the harmful policies of the Biden Administration, and support our allies abroad. And we will restore sanity to a government desperately in need of it. Let’s get back to work," he wrote on X.

Johnson has been an outspoken advocate for former President Donald Trump and played a pivotal role in congressional initiatives to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to multiple reports;

Trump congratulated Johnson on his win, saying: "He is going to make us all proud."

McCarthy was abruptly ousted Oct. 3 following a rebellion from far-right Republicans. The no-confidence vote saw eight House Republicans join all present Democrats to remove him.

It was the first in US history that saw a House Speaker toppled as a result of internal procedures.