Republicans have expressed optimism that GOP Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson (R-LA) will win the vote on the House floor to become the next speaker.
Johnson won the nomination after a marathon day of closed-door meetings on Tuesday.
The top congressman became speaker-designate on Tuesday evening, the fourth Republican nominee in three weeks.
However, House GOP lawmakers are insisting that their conference is finally on the same page and Johnson is the man for the job.
Several Republicans have declared they are now ready to unite under Johnson’s leadership — teeing up a House-wide vote Wednesday just after noon.
Many argue that Johnson could be the antidote to the establishment swamp factor that saw Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) booted from the role.
“My wife…and I were talking, and I said, if we can get somebody like a Mike Johnson, we would be very fortunate,” Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) told reporters after the vote.
“I think he would be an excellent choice because… he’s very cerebral,” Burchett said.
“And he’s kind of a goober… but I dig that about him.
“There’s an old saying in east Tennessee, ‘He’s cleaner than a hound’s tooth.'”
Burchett was one of eight House Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy three weeks ago Tuesday.
He said Johnson “brings something to the table that’s lacking in Washington.”
Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), one of the original 20 lawmakers to oppose McCarthy’s speakership bid in January, called Johnson a “capable” and “good man.”
“I think it was important to make sure that we got the right person for the American people,” he told reporters.
Johnson also scored the support of leadership like Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) the No. 2 House Republican who was tapped as McCarthy’s original replacement.
Scalise quickly dropped out of the race due to mounting opposition.
“Mike is honest, hardworking, and principled — he is a great man and will make a great speaker,” Scalise said in a statement.
“I look forward to continuing to work with my good friend to get this country back on track and deliver results for American families who deserve better from Washington.”
House Republicans had gathered earlier in the day for a speaker election where George Soros-linked Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) came out on top.
But opposition, including from President Donald Trump, forced him to drop out hours later.
GOP lawmakers hastily scheduled another candidate forum where Johnson emerged on top after previously coming in second to Emmer.
A subsequent roll call vote where members were called upon by name to say whether they would support Johnson on the floor saw no one vote against him, and just a few lawmakers voting “present.”
Johnson vowed to uphold conservative values in a press conference after the vote, in which all the House Republicans present flanked him and jubilantly cheered.
However, multiple lawmakers estimated that about 19 members were missing — a significant factor in the Wednesday vote.
Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL) who opposed House Republicans’ second speaker-designate, Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) said “I don’t think so” when asked if the absences will pose a problem for Johnson.
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