# The Great Ongoing Revolving Speakership of the 118th Congress {Mike Johnson is new speaker as of 2023-10-25} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 12, 2023, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432 "2023-10-12T02:05:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 89
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1761 "2024-04-24T01:43:23Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I got my data [from here](https://pressgallery.house.gov/member-data/party-breakdown). Looks like it does not account for Gallagher. > > The [House itself](https://www.congress.gov/member/mike-gallagher/G000579) still shows him as a member and his [webpage](https://gallagher.house.gov/about) is still active. Ah, he stayed on to make sure the foreign aid package got in. He should be leaving shortly. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1762 "2024-04-24T01:54:20Z")
Gallagher resigned on Saturday, bringing the Republican total down to 217. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1763 "2024-04-24T02:07:45Z")
It’s also important to note that the current House partisan breakdown (217R/213D) give the Republicans a one-vote margin in the sense that – on a binary vote – if two Rs defected to the D side it would result in a tie and thus fail. If a Speaker’s race were held today, it would take 216 votes to elect a Speaker assuming all members voted. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1764 "2024-04-24T11:13:21Z")
Mitch “The Turtle” McConnell shares his thoughts on Ukraine aid, Johnson, and the next generation of candidates. Mmm, waffles. > **[McConnell says Tucker Carlson and Trump's waffling delayed crucial Ukraine aid](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-says-tucker-carlson-trumps-waffling-delayed-crucial-ukraine-rcna149057)** > > The Senate Republican leader pointed to Carlson's "demonization of Ukraine," along with Trump's "mixed views" and resistance to additional aid as reasons it's taken so long to pass. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1765 "2024-04-24T15:09:49Z")
Why doesn’t Carlson just move to Russia already? Putin seems to really respect him \< s \> ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1766 "2024-04-24T17:01:41Z")
And it’s 217R / 211D / 6 vacant as of this morning due to the passing of Democratic Representative Donald Payne Jr. > **[Donald Payne, six-term congressman from New Jersey, dies at 65 - New Jersey...](https://newjerseyglobe.com/in-memoriam/donald-payne-dies-at-65/)** > > Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-Newark) – an immensely likable, low-key but effective, progressive six-term congressman from New Jersey with a passion for social ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1767 "2024-04-24T17:02:48Z")
Well, poop. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1768 "2024-04-24T17:07:18Z")
Are we sure Gallagher has officially resigned? The Clerk of the House [is not showing](https://clerk.house.gov/Members/ViewVacancies) the vacancy. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1769 "2024-04-24T17:14:09Z")
He gave a farewell speech on the House floor after the foreign aid vote on Saturday. Maybe there’s some issues around processing his resignation since the House is currently in recess, but it’s clear he’s done. > **[Rep. Gallagher bids farewell to Congress with final remarks: 'I accomplished...](https://fox11online.com/news/political/rep-gallagher-bids-farewell-to-congress-with-final-remarks-i-accomplished-my-mission-representative-mike-gallagher-house-of-representatives-congressional-record-northeast-wisconsin-8th-district)** > > He resigned Saturday with an official statement as part of the Congressional Record through the Government Publishing Office. It’s also clear, though, that he won’t be replaced this Congress – Wisconsin law does not allow a special election at this point in the electoral calendar. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1770 "2024-04-24T17:46:41Z")
Maybe the Rs found a way to do a “Weekend at Bernie’s” with his seat, just to avoid the reduction in nominal majority. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1771 "2024-04-29T18:20:10Z")
Soooo… It seems that some of the R’s are really pissed off that Johnson dared to go against the will of their leader, Putin and actually do what the majority of congress and the American people want - send more aid to Ukraine. I still am of the opinion that some of the R’s are not merely useful idiots - they are actually acting as foreign agents for Russia. Either paid or blackmailed. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2024, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1772 "2024-04-29T18:32:30Z")
Well, something may be going on behind closed Republican doors. The House is currently in recess “subject to the call of the Chair.” ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2024, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1773 "2024-04-29T18:51:45Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > Well, something may be going on behind closed Republican doors. Conference zoom call with Putin. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2024, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1774 "2024-04-29T23:03:25Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I still am of the opinion that some of the R’s are not merely useful idiots - they are actually acting as foreign agents for Russia. Either paid or blackmailed. It might be simpler than that. Putin has made it clear that he will interfere in US elections. Even without Kompromat, bribery or any direct offer of Quid pro Quo, they may want to curry favor with him with the understanding that he will help them out. Also it’s what the dear leader would do, so its what his minions want and expect. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1775 "2024-04-30T14:27:18Z")
Hakeem Jeffries and the entire House Democratic leadership announced this morning that they will oppose a motion to vacate the Speaker’s chair, killing any chance of it being successful. We’ll see if MTG makes the House go through with it anyway. > **[JOINT DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP STATEMENT ON MOTION TO VACATE](https://democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-releases/joint-democratic-leadership-statement-motion-vacate)** > > Washington, DC – House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar released the following statement upon the completion of the House Democratic Caucus Meeting: ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1776 "2024-04-30T14:50:50Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > We’ll see if MTG makes the House go through with it anyway. I think this means she will make the House vote on it. It gives her attention. It humiliates the Speaker by forcing him to accept votes from Democrats. It lets the Freedom Caucus claim about how terrible both the Democrats and Republicans are. And there’s no downside of everyone blaming her for stopping Congress. I don’t think she has enough awareness to realize it defangs her threats. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1777 "2024-04-30T15:14:35Z")
A little more information on the Democratic Caucus meeting this morning that led to Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar making the announcement that they will vote to table the motion if offered. While most House Democrats will likely join them, Jeffries told members to vote their own conscience. If they have to vote at all – MTG is apparently hiding out and hasn’t been seen at the Capitol since the House reconvened yesterday. [House Dem leaders announce they will block effort to oust Johnson - Live Updates - POLITICO](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/04/30/congress/dems-will-block-effort-to-oust-johnson-00155117) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1778 "2024-04-30T15:28:11Z")
I’m curious why they announced this. Politically speaking, would it have been better to let MTG go through with her foolishness and to fail spectacularly? Of course, that’d waste time and energy, so the good governance move is to signal the failure before it happens. Did Democrats actually just engage in good governance at the cost of scoring political points? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1779 "2024-04-30T15:56:17Z")
It seems to me that the Democrats did display good governance by heading off at the pass yet another attempt by the bomb-throwers to bog down the business of the House. Not that it’s being carried out all that well to begin with, but this move by the Democrats says let’s cut the crap and do our jobs. Which is a good move politically, it seems to me. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1780 "2024-04-30T16:05:20Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > It humiliates the Speaker by forcing him to accept votes from Democrats. Which the FuCers will use against him for the next motion to vacate. > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Politically speaking, would it have been better to let MTG go through with her foolishness and to fail spectacularly? Because now MTG can’t win. If she doesn’t bring it to the floor it’s because of the Dirty Dems™ minority party telling her it would fail so who really is in control. If she does bring it to the floor it will fail when she **knew** she couldn’t whip enough votes. That’s IdiotMove101 as a representative. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432.md?page=88) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432.md?page=90)