GOP 2024 field congratulates newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson

Republican presidential candidates began congratulating and praising the newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) after 220 House Republicans voted in favor of him to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries‘s (D-NY) 209 votes Wednesday afternoon.

House Republicans spent three weeks divided over who should succeed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), with Johnson emerging as the fourth candidate on Tuesday night. Unlike McCarthy’s infamous 15 rounds needed to become speaker, Johnson was handed the speaker’s gavel after just one round of voting.

HOUSE ELECTS MIKE JOHNSON AS SPEAKER AFTER THREE WEEKS AT AN IMPASSE

Former President Donald Trump, who signaled support for Johnson before the vote, was the first 2024 candidate to congratulate the new House speaker in a social media post.

“Congratulations to Rep. Mike Johnson. He will be a GREAT ‘SPEAKER.’ MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday afternoon.

Trump torpedoed House Majority Whip Tom Emmer‘s (R-MN) bid to become speaker on Tuesday afternoon, which helped pave the way for Johnson to become the 56th speaker of the House. “At this time yesterday nobody was thinking of Mike,” Trump bragged about Johnson. “And then we put out the word and now he’s speaker of the House.”

Former Vice President Mike Pence and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley both congratulated Johnson moments after his elevation to House speaker. But Haley added a subtle allusion to the daunting tasks he faces in the weeks ahead. “Congratulations Speaker @RepMikeJohnson. Time to get to work,” Haley said.

Congress has until Nov. 17 to pass all 12 appropriations bills needed to fund the government, or they risk a government shutdown a week before Thanksgiving. President Joe Biden has also requested a $106 billion foreign aid package amid the Israel–Hamas war that has upended the international scene.

The package includes $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine as it continues its war against Russia, but several House Republicans are weary of more funding for the war-torn nation. In comparison, the Senate reached an agreement on Tuesday over a minibus, which combines three of the 12 appropriations bills, up for amendment votes this week.

Johnson urged in a “Dear Colleague” letter this week that Republican lawmakers consider passing a stopgap continuing resolution until Jan. 15 or April 15, 2024, to give Congress more time to pass all 12 appropriations bills and avert a shutdown.

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In the meantime, Republican allies continue to praise Johnson’s elevation, including former GOP presidential candidate Will Hurd.

“A great speaker exhibits strong leadership skills, possesses a deep understanding of the legislative process, and demonstrates integrity and fairness,” Hurd said. “Regardless of your politics we should all hope that this is what the speakership of @RepMikeJohnson will be known for.”