Three Republicans joined all Democrats to vote against Johnson’s nomination: Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Keith Self (R-TX).

The speaker’s race is expected to go to a second round, but the vote remained open well after voting stopped on the House floor. Members were advised in a whip notice to stay close to the floor for an immediate second roll call.

The defections did not come as a surprise, as hard-line members have expressed frustration with Johnson over the last several weeks and refused to commit their support unless they saw certain demands met.

Members of the House Freedom Caucus, in particular, criticized the speaker, first elected to the top leadership position in October 2023, for not securing more spending cuts and relying on Democrats to pass key legislation.

Their demands also include assurances that rank-and-file Republicans will be included in negotiations for must-pass legislation, a frustration that arose last month when GOP lawmakers tanked a government spending deal reached days before the shutdown deadline.

Johnson told reporters he would not be making concessions or side deals, something his predecessor Kevin McCarthy did to secure the gavel at the beginning of the 118th Congress.

“I don’t make deals with anyone. There’s no quid pro quo here,” Johnson said on Friday morning. “I don’t do anything in exchange for a vote other than commit to make this institution work as effectively and efficiently as possible.”

However, Johnson did release three commitments for a second term as speaker ahead of the election, including the creation of a working group comprised of independent experts to work with the Department of Government Efficiency to implement spending reforms.

He also promised to task House committees with conducting “aggressive” authorizations and appropriations reviews “to expose irresponsible or illegal practices” within agencies.

“If we want to restore fiscal responsibility, we must start by being transparent about the dollars that are spent, address the issues we find, and then hold those accountable who have misspent funds,” Johnson said in a statement. “Republicans have a mandate to implement the America First Agenda, and as Speaker, this will be my priority.”

House leadership had expressed cautious optimism on Friday morning that Johnson would become speaker, even if it took multiple rounds.

Johnson is expected to speak with some of the holdouts as voting proceeds to a second round on Friday. The House must continue its roll call votes until a speaker is elected as members cannot be sworn in until that leadership position is filled. 

Lawmakers must cast their votes one by one in alphabetical order, each stating their candidate out loud. The magic number, if all lawmakers are present and voting, is 218.

Johnson is working with a historically slim margin of just 219-215, meaning he can only afford to lose one Republican vote. Massie, who voted for Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) during the first round, has vowed not to change his vote.

Still, Johnson does have one major weapon in his arsenal: President-elect Donald Trump, who succeeded in softening some resistance among conservative members.

Trump offered last-minute support to Johnson hours before the vote, telling Republicans in a Friday post on Truth Social that his victory would be “a big win” for the party.

Johnson has pointed to that support, arguing a quick speaker’s election is the best way to enact Trump’s agenda quickly and avoid the appearance of a divided GOP majority in the House. Those who support Johnson have echoed similar sentiments, urging their colleagues to brush their frustrations with Johnson aside and prioritize getting the House in order before Monday’s certification of Trump’s 2024 electoral win.

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Meanwhile, on the other side of Capitol Hill, the Senate swore in its 100 senators without much fanfare or drama. There, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) became the new majority leader of the upper chamber, ushering in an era of GOP control not seen since 2021.

Trump will not be sworn in for a second term until Jan. 20.

This story will be updated.