A leadership battle is brewing over whether Mike Johnson will remain Speaker of the House just days before a crucial presidential election certification.
Key Facts:
– The House votes for its Speaker on Friday, January 3.
– Mike Johnson needs 218 votes to keep his position.
– At least two Republican members voting against him would cost him the Speakership.
– The presidential election certification is set for January 6, only three days later.
– Without a Speaker, the House cannot function, and the presidency could pass temporarily to Senate pro tempore Chuck Grassley on January 20.
The Rest of The Story:
Mike Johnson became Speaker after Kevin McCarthy was removed, and it took the House three weeks to settle on Johnson.
Now, a small group of Republicans is uncertain about keeping him in the role.
If he fails to reach 218 votes on Friday, the House will have no Speaker, bringing its work to a halt.
This delay would come at a sensitive moment.
The House must certify the incoming president by January 6.
If it doesn’t, and the Speakership remains vacant, the line of succession skips over both the elected president and vice president, as well as the missing Speaker.
That scenario could give Senator Chuck Grassley, the Senate pro tempore, a path to the Oval Office on January 20.
Will Chuck Grassley really become U.S. president if there's no House speaker to certify Trump victory?
Rep. James Comer urges #Trump to get everyone united behind #MikeJohnson as speaker pic.twitter.com/2qLXwycnlw
— WorldNetDaily (@worldnetdaily) December 29, 2024
Commentary:
Many observers, including former President Donald Trump, want to see the House move quickly so that the transition of power proceeds as scheduled.
Choosing a Speaker should be a top priority because January 6 will arrive fast, and any gap in leadership risks major confusion about who leads the country.
By securing Johnson’s position without delay, lawmakers can avoid a chaotic situation that might create uncertainty during a critical constitutional process.
In this high-stakes moment, a swift and orderly confirmation would benefit both Congress and the nation.
The Bottom Line:
Mike Johnson’s future as Speaker is on the line, and the timing couldn’t be more critical.
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If the House doesn’t settle the matter fast, the presidential certification could be disrupted, leaving the nation in disarray.