The 119th Congress is set to start on Friday at noon Eastern Time, with an important task ahead: electing the Speaker of the House. This officer is essential for the functioning of the legislative branch, as the House cannot operate until a Speaker is chosen. This means no swearing-in of members and no legislative work can begin until this key position is filled.
In the past few years, the process for electing a Speaker has become quite eventful. Notably, it took 15 rounds over five days to elect former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in January 2023. After McCarthy’s removal later that year, House Republicans nominated several candidates for the Speakership, including Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan, neither of whom succeeded. Eventually, Mike Johnson from Louisiana was selected as Speaker, but his time in office has not been without controversy. Many conservatives have expressed disappointment over his handling of various spending bills and his bipartisan efforts, particularly concerning assistance to Ukraine.
As the House prepares to vote on Friday, Acting House Clerk Kevin McCumber will oversee the proceedings until a Speaker is chosen. The initial order of business will be to determine how many Members-elect are present. The House is expected to have 434 total members, with a mix of 219 Republicans and 215 Democrats, plus one vacancy due to the resignation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Once attendance is confirmed, the nominations will begin. Lisa McClain, the incoming House Republican Conference Chairwoman, will nominate Mike Johnson, while Pete Aguilar, House Democratic Caucus Chairman, will nominate Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader. Members can also nominate others if they choose, making it an open process.
The crucial factor for winning the Speakership is securing a majority of votes. With 434 members, a simple majority would mean 218 votes. However, there are concerns that a significant number of Republicans might choose to vote “present” as a form of protest. This would make it easier for Jeffries, the Democratic nominee, to win if he earns an outright majority of those who voted for a candidate.
The stakes are high, and if the vote drags on, it could affect the upcoming certification of the Electoral College results scheduled for January 6. If there is no Speaker by then, there can be no Joint Session to certify the election outcome. Additionally, underlying tensions are rising between different factions within the Republican Party, which could transform the Speaker vote into a larger struggle over the direction of the party and its ability to govern effectively.
As the clock ticks down to the vote, all eyes will be on Capitol Hill, where the outcome will shape the future of Republican leadership and strategy as they approach the challenges ahead.
