With a few key outliers in the Republican Party, Alabama's Republican congressional delegation is expected to vote to re-elect House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) ahead of Friday's election.
At the beginning of the 119th Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote to either keep Johnson as speaker or elect someone new.
Like the last speaker election, House Democrats are expected to vote unanimously for their preferred candidate, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). However, recent drama over a stopgap funding bill has potentially put the incumbent speaker in the crosshairs of Republican leadership's right flank, even though he received an endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump.
In December, Trump, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and Elon Musk criticized an earlier version of a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown, saying the bill had too much frivolous spending. The criticism forced Johnson to scramble for another option. The final bill passed 366-34, but not without criticism for raising the national debt ceiling.
Thus far, State Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is the only House Republican to state definitively that he would not back Johnson in the speaker race. However, there are still a few question marks in the body.
Additionally, with the GOP holding a paper-thin majority in the House, attendance on both sides of the aisle could significantly tilt the scales.
Trump's endorsement also complicates things for House members since, after the President-elect endorsed Johnson, a vote against the speaker could be seen as opposition to the incoming president.
Alabama will have two Democratic members of Congress by the time the vote occurs, and both are expected to vote along party lines.
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) was the first to support Johnson's reelection bid publicly.
Sources close to U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) and Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) stated they both planned to vote for Johnson.
A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) confirmed that he was also a "yes" vote. Moore's vote bodes well for Johnson since he is the only Alabama Congressman on the House Freedom Caucus, comprised of the staunchest Republicans in the House.
Communications for U.S. Rep Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) did not immediately respond to 1819 News regarding how he would vote. However, a vote against Johnson is doubtful.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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