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Mike Johnson holdouts persist after Trump endorsement
Source: Axios
3 hours ago
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is not out of the woods yet in his fight to retain his gavel even after receiving a crucial endorsement from President-elect Trump.
Why it matters: The Jan. 3 speaker election will now be an early test not only of Johnson's ability to lead his conference into the coming legislative battle — but of Trump's as well.
Driving the news: Trump said Monday in a post on Truth Social that Johnson is a "good, hard working, religious man" who has his "Complete & Total Endorsement."
The endorsement came after weeks of right-wing anger towards Johnson for passing a government funding bill with bipartisan support. Trump himself was reportedly frustrated with Johnson for failing to tack on a debt limit increase — something he is still demanding before Jan. 20.
State of play: Johnson is set to have just a 219-215 majority when the House returns on Jan. 3, meaning he will likely only be able to lose one vote.
Trump's endorsement pushed some uncommitted members, like Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), to back Johnson. But it hasn't swayed Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), the one House Republican who has said he plans to vote against Johnson. "I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan," Massie said in a post on X.
Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/12/30/mike-johnson-holdouts-trump-endorsement-jan-3
27 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
The OP you posted is bizarre as it completely eliminates the President of the Senate - who is the Vice President of the United States - Kamala Harris - who is the one who will be certifying BY LAW.
Do you remember all the "Mike Pence" drama??
Remember this guy?
Then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi wasn't doing anything with the "Certification" except "hosting" the Joint Session.
Congress approves new election certification rules in response to Jan. 6
Politics Dec 23, 2022 5:12 PM EST
By —
Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press
Congress on Friday gave final passage to legislation changing the arcane law that governs the certification of a presidential contest, the strongest effort yet to avoid a repeat of Donald Trump’s violence-inflaming push to reverse his loss in the 2020 election. The House passed an overhaul of the Electoral Count Act as part of its massive, end-of-the-year spending bill, after the Senate approved identical wording Thursday. The legislation now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature.
Biden hailed the provisions’ inclusion in the spending bill in a statement Friday, calling it “critical bipartisan action that will help ensure that the will of the people is preserved.” It’s the most significant legislative response Congress has made yet to Trump’s aggressive efforts to upend the popular vote, and a step that been urged by the House select committee that conducted the most thorough investigation into the violent siege of the Capitol.
The provisions amending the 1887 law — which has long been criticized as poorly and confusingly written — won bipartisan support and would make it harder for future presidential losers to prevent the ascension of their foes, as Trump tried to do on Jan. 6, 2021. “It’s a monumental accomplishment, particularly in this partisan atmosphere, for such a major rewrite of a law that’s so crucial to our democracy,” said Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California Los Angeles. “This law goes a long way toward shutting down the avenues Trump and his allies tried to use in 2020, and could have been exploited in future elections.”
On Jan. 6, Trump targeted Congress’ ratification of the Electoral College’s vote. He tried to exploit the vice president’s role in reading out the states’ electors to get Mike Pence to block Biden from becoming the next president by omitting some states Biden won from the roll. The new provisions make clear that the vice president’s responsibilities in the process are merely ceremonial and that the vice president has no say in determining who actually won the election.
(snip)
Politics Dec 23, 2022 5:12 PM EST
By —
Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press
Congress on Friday gave final passage to legislation changing the arcane law that governs the certification of a presidential contest, the strongest effort yet to avoid a repeat of Donald Trump’s violence-inflaming push to reverse his loss in the 2020 election. The House passed an overhaul of the Electoral Count Act as part of its massive, end-of-the-year spending bill, after the Senate approved identical wording Thursday. The legislation now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature.
Biden hailed the provisions’ inclusion in the spending bill in a statement Friday, calling it “critical bipartisan action that will help ensure that the will of the people is preserved.” It’s the most significant legislative response Congress has made yet to Trump’s aggressive efforts to upend the popular vote, and a step that been urged by the House select committee that conducted the most thorough investigation into the violent siege of the Capitol.
The provisions amending the 1887 law — which has long been criticized as poorly and confusingly written — won bipartisan support and would make it harder for future presidential losers to prevent the ascension of their foes, as Trump tried to do on Jan. 6, 2021. “It’s a monumental accomplishment, particularly in this partisan atmosphere, for such a major rewrite of a law that’s so crucial to our democracy,” said Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California Los Angeles. “This law goes a long way toward shutting down the avenues Trump and his allies tried to use in 2020, and could have been exploited in future elections.”
On Jan. 6, Trump targeted Congress’ ratification of the Electoral College’s vote. He tried to exploit the vice president’s role in reading out the states’ electors to get Mike Pence to block Biden from becoming the next president by omitting some states Biden won from the roll. The new provisions make clear that the vice president’s responsibilities in the process are merely ceremonial and that the vice president has no say in determining who actually won the election.
(snip)
I don't understand why people are suddenly erasing Kamala Harris from existence. SHE is the Vice President and SHE is the PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE who is the primary functionary for the Electoral College.
They were all putting on sideshow performances in the chamber during that whole fiasco. 
after they booted McCarthy and appointed an "Acting Speaker of the House" as I posted here - https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=edit&forum=1014&thread=3364415&pid=3364415
Do you recall this - Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina is the leader of the House, at least for now
By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Updated 11:02 AM EST, October 4, 2023
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — As Kevin McCarthy got pushed out of his job as House speaker, in part by colleagues who helped put him on the dais nine months ago, one of his top lieutenants stepped in to preside — at least temporarily.
North Carolina GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry took the gavel after Tuesday’s vote to oust McCarthy – a historic first for a House speaker. According to House rules, McHenry was picked from a list McCarthy was required to keep and will serve essentially as the acting speaker — known as speaker pro tempore — until the chamber figures out who will be the next leader.
(snip)
By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Updated 11:02 AM EST, October 4, 2023
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — As Kevin McCarthy got pushed out of his job as House speaker, in part by colleagues who helped put him on the dais nine months ago, one of his top lieutenants stepped in to preside — at least temporarily.
North Carolina GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry took the gavel after Tuesday’s vote to oust McCarthy – a historic first for a House speaker. According to House rules, McHenry was picked from a list McCarthy was required to keep and will serve essentially as the acting speaker — known as speaker pro tempore — until the chamber figures out who will be the next leader.
(snip)
And again, the SOH doesn't have a role in "certifying". That is given to the "President of the Senate" which is the Vice President.
They are just using the House Chamber as a venue (because it is big enough to hold all the members of Congress).
McCarthy was "booted" after he was chosen Speaker. The House was already organized and in session, and McCarthy had already chosen a Speaker Pro Tempe McHenry who could serve during a vacancy.
The House has always designated "Pro Tempore" Speakers when the SOH is not there. In fact, those Pro Tems do most of the work and the actual SOH usually only steps in during the more significant votes and other events.
There are a number of positions that are voted on and sworn in by the PREVIOUS SOH's including the Clerk of the House and the Sergeant-At-Arms.
This is a brand-new congress, and the rules are different during pre-organizing. A Speaker must be chosen to start a "New Congress" before any other business can be done, including choosing a "Speaker Pro-Tempe".
Did you forget what happened before McCarthy was even elected after 15 votes? The Clerk of the House "shepherded" the chamber's actions.
The clerk presiding during the speaker vote is no stranger to turbulent times in the House
By Chandelis Duster, CNN
Published 10:27 AM EST, Thu January 5, 2023
CNN — Cheryl Johnson, the House clerk who has presided over the contentious votes taking place this week during the speakership elections, is no stranger to turbulent times in the House of Representatives.
Already, in the nearly four years in which she has held the job, she has been present for two impeachment hearings as well as the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Her typical duties include preparing and delivering messages to the US Senate, receiving messages from the US president and the Senate when the House is not in session, and certifying the passage of all bills and resolutions by the chamber. This week, she has presided over the chamber and called members to order.
Johnson was first sworn in as the 36th House Clerk by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on February 25, 2019, and again on January 3, 2021. Along with the House Sergeant at Arms, she led House impeachment managers as they walked over articles of impeachment against Donald Trump to the US Senate in 2020 and 2021.
(snip)
By Chandelis Duster, CNN
Published 10:27 AM EST, Thu January 5, 2023
CNN — Cheryl Johnson, the House clerk who has presided over the contentious votes taking place this week during the speakership elections, is no stranger to turbulent times in the House of Representatives.
Already, in the nearly four years in which she has held the job, she has been present for two impeachment hearings as well as the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Her typical duties include preparing and delivering messages to the US Senate, receiving messages from the US president and the Senate when the House is not in session, and certifying the passage of all bills and resolutions by the chamber. This week, she has presided over the chamber and called members to order.
Johnson was first sworn in as the 36th House Clerk by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on February 25, 2019, and again on January 3, 2021. Along with the House Sergeant at Arms, she led House impeachment managers as they walked over articles of impeachment against Donald Trump to the US Senate in 2020 and 2021.
(snip)
Meet Cheryl Johnson, the House clerk managing the speaker votes
January 6, 202311:08 AM ET
By Rachel Treisman
The speaker is usually the person running things in the House of Representatives. But in the absence of a speaker, that job has fallen to House Clerk Cheryl Johnson. Johnson has calmly guided proceedings, including doing the time-consuming and repetitive work of calling on lawmakers to make nomination speeches and cast their votes — and announcing the results.
She also reminded them on Thursday to maintain decorum and order, including by refraining "from engaging in personalities toward other members-elect," in brief remarks that were met with a massive round of applause.
Johnson has drawn praise from both sides of the aisle this week for making sure the voting process remains respectful and orderly — despite the fact that the House hasn't even been able to pass rules for its newest session.
(snip)
Lawmakers vote to elect a House clerk — and other House officers — when a new Congress gathers every two years. That usually happens right after the speaker election — meaning even once the House chooses its speaker, it may go on to nominate and potentially elect a different clerk.
(snip)
January 6, 202311:08 AM ET
By Rachel Treisman
The speaker is usually the person running things in the House of Representatives. But in the absence of a speaker, that job has fallen to House Clerk Cheryl Johnson. Johnson has calmly guided proceedings, including doing the time-consuming and repetitive work of calling on lawmakers to make nomination speeches and cast their votes — and announcing the results.
She also reminded them on Thursday to maintain decorum and order, including by refraining "from engaging in personalities toward other members-elect," in brief remarks that were met with a massive round of applause.
Johnson has drawn praise from both sides of the aisle this week for making sure the voting process remains respectful and orderly — despite the fact that the House hasn't even been able to pass rules for its newest session.
(snip)
Lawmakers vote to elect a House clerk — and other House officers — when a new Congress gathers every two years. That usually happens right after the speaker election — meaning even once the House chooses its speaker, it may go on to nominate and potentially elect a different clerk.
(snip)
I.e., the Clerk (and other officers in the chamber) can be "sworn in" for the new Congress by the previous SOH BEFORE a new SOH vote concludes with an election of the SOH and BEFORE there are any "new Rules". It's not the "normal order" but THAT is what happened in 2021.
I watched the whole damn thing on CSPAN for each day that it was on, including every minute of those damn 15 votes.
Again - the President of the Senate (VP of the U.S.) does the Electoral Count "certification".
in a tab and have that article and what I indicated is also in the subtitle of that linked article -
Scholars say House has options to carry out constitutional duty without a speaker
THAT is why I linked to what happened with the start of the 118th Congress that proceeded "without a Speaker" and even "without Rules". They had a SWORN officer - the Clerk - handle the administrative functioning of the proceedings.
THAT Jan 3rd, 2021 - Jan. 7th 2021 period was a big GRAY AREA that they made it through so there is prescendent for how to proceed.
But again, the SOH really has no role in the Certification process. The House "hosts" the process (because they are a big enough chamber to hold everyone and is usually the venue for a "Joint Session of Congress" ).
The media is INTENTIONALLY eliminating and erasing the current Vice President out of any role for some idiotic racist fucking reason.
HARRIS *IS* the PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND PRESIDES OVER THE ELECTORAL COUNT CERTIFICATION.
(snip)
The speaker has two formal roles on Jan. 6, Levitt said: selecting the two tellers who read out the votes and overseeing the House during any debates over objections to the Electoral College votes.
Levitt said the teller portion could likely be handled by majority vote or unanimous consent and objections would be unlikely under the new, higher threshold to sustain them established by the 2022 overhaul to the law governing the counting of presidential electoral votes. Dubbed the Electoral Count Reform Act, the law was enacted as part of a bipartisan reaction to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and laid out specific procedures for presidential election certification, challenges and more.
The speaker has two formal roles on Jan. 6, Levitt said: selecting the two tellers who read out the votes and overseeing the House during any debates over objections to the Electoral College votes.
Levitt said the teller portion could likely be handled by majority vote or unanimous consent and objections would be unlikely under the new, higher threshold to sustain them established by the 2022 overhaul to the law governing the counting of presidential electoral votes. Dubbed the Electoral Count Reform Act, the law was enacted as part of a bipartisan reaction to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and laid out specific procedures for presidential election certification, challenges and more.
I posted a link to the Electoral Count Reform Act upthread (along with an excerpt in the post).
I.e., the SOH basically "hosts the session" and "a presiding officer" (doesn't explicitly say "Speaker of the House" ) would need to select the House's "Tellers" (and the Senate will select their own "Tellers" ), however each chamber agrees to do so. This is where they indicate the House could actually vote on some resolution to name those people (probably staffers who might be still there who have done it before).
I think there were 2 for each Chamber and they sit at the dais and tally and then compare.
Here is Al Gore in 2001 presiding AS VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE -
Vice President Al Gore presides over the counting of his narrow Electoral College loss on Jan. 6, 2001.
Kenneth Lambert/AP
The 2 seated on the bottom row to the right (when facing the dais) appear to be 2 Tellers. The other 2 would be to the left (when facing the dais) but are not there (there are 2 empty chairs there).
In order to "Object" to a state's submission (where they then break out into their individual chambers to debate), the threshold is much higher so there will be little chance of any "objections" actually proceeding like they did in 2021.
More from that article -
Levitt also said that although the regular House cannot do business without a speaker, it is a different body — constitutionally — when it is part of a joint session to count the votes. “I don’t think, as a constitutional matter, there is an impediment to members of the body proceeding with the electoral count if the body can’t do any work on its own without electing a speaker,” Levitt said.
The House, along with the Senate, also typically passes a concurrent resolution to enter in the joint session and lay out the procedures they will follow. Levitt pointed out that those same procedures are also laid out in the 2022 electoral count law, and Harris could rely on the statute to proceed with the count.
“As far as the Constitution goes, all the things you need are the Senate, the House and the president of the Senate, who is the sitting vice president,” Levitt said.
The House, along with the Senate, also typically passes a concurrent resolution to enter in the joint session and lay out the procedures they will follow. Levitt pointed out that those same procedures are also laid out in the 2022 electoral count law, and Harris could rely on the statute to proceed with the count.
“As far as the Constitution goes, all the things you need are the Senate, the House and the president of the Senate, who is the sitting vice president,” Levitt said.
As a CSPAN junkie, I *watched* the ENTIRE certification process on CSPAN - literally until just after 4:00 am ET on January 7 when they finally finished up. This included each chamber in their own "break out" sessions (with CSPAN on my TV and CSPAN2 streamed on my laptop) debating the objections. They originally objected to 4 states but after the mess of the invasion of the chambers, they eventually decided to just do 2 - my state of Pennsylvania and Arizona.
And it is correct that NO HOUSE BUSINESS will get done - i.e., "legislation". But the House doesn't have a role in "Certification" except to "host the Joint Session of Congress".
