Here’s what conservatives need to know.
The House of Representatives is set to vote on its next Speaker on January 3, just days before Congress holds its joint session to certify the Electoral College results of the 2024 presidential election. However, this process could face delays, potentially disrupting the certification of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, according to reports from Politico.
The election of the Speaker is the first order of business in the new Congress, and nothing can proceed until that position is filled. Republicans have secured control of both chambers of Congress following the November elections, and the GOP is eager to begin implementing the Trump agenda. However, with a slim majority in the House, Republicans are finding themselves divided over who should lead the chamber. Some conservatives, in particular, are questioning whether current Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., should continue in the role.
Johnson appeared to have solidified his position until recent developments, including his agreement to a spending deal with Democrats that angered many in the party’s conservative wing. This led to calls from several lawmakers for a change in leadership. While former President Trump has supported Johnson in the past, he has remained silent on whether he backs the Louisiana representative for another term as Speaker.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has already pledged to oppose Johnson, and several other Republicans are uncertain. If a protracted fight for the speakership occurs, it could delay the process of certifying the Electoral College results, which is supposed to happen on January 6. However, experts believe that there are procedural mechanisms in place to ensure the certification could still go forward, even if the Speaker has not been chosen by that time.
In such a scenario, Vice President Kamala Harris, as President of the Senate, would preside over the joint session to certify the votes. However, the situation would be a significant test of the nation’s political system, as there is no clear precedent for a prolonged speaker battle during such a critical time in the legislative calendar.
The focus is now on whether Republicans can resolve their internal divisions in time for the crucial tasks that lie ahead—both the election of a new Speaker and the certification of Trump’s victory. The clock is ticking, and the party faces tough decisions in the coming days.