2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Elect Mike Johnson As Speaker Of The
House. In October 2023, Fitzpatrick voted to elect Rep. Mike Johnson
(R-LA) as Speaker of the House. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) received a
majority of the votes cast, thus the House elected Rep. Mike Johnson as
Speaker of the House. [House Vote 527,
10/25/23]
Johnson Was The Fourth Republican Nominee And The Only To Receive
No Republican Opposition. According to the New York Times, "Mr.
Johnson faced no opposition from his own party, and won in a
party-line vote. In previous rounds of voting, as many as 25
Republicans opposed their party's nominee. Mr. Johnson was the
Republican Party's fourth nominee for speaker in the last two
weeks." [New York Times,
10/25/23]
Reps. Tom Emmer, Jim Jordan, And Steve Scalise Were Previously
Nominated By The Republican Party. According to the New York
Times, "most recently, Representative Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the
No. 3 House Republican, withdrew his bid for the speakership just
hours after winning a closed-door vote. A week prior, Representative
Jim Jordan of Ohio failed to win the speakership after three floor
votes, facing increasing opposition from his own party in each vote.
Before him, Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana withdrew his
bid after winning a closed-door vote to become the nominee." [New
York Times,
10/25/23]
Rep. Mike Johnson Led An Effort To Overturn The 2020 Presidential
Election Results. According to the New York Times, "Mr. Johnson
served on former President Donald J. Trump's impeachment defense
team, playing a leading role in recruiting House Republicans to sign
a legal brief supporting a lawsuit seeking to overturn the 2020
election results. He was also an architect of Mr. Trump's bid to
object to certifying them in Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. Mr. Trump
praised him on Wednesday after his election, calling the Louisiana
Republican 'a fantastic gentleman.'" [New York Times,
10/25/23]
As A Religious Conservative, Rep. Mike Johnson Opposed Abortion
And LGBTQ Rights. According to the New York Times, "The elevation
of Mr. Johnson, 51, an architect of the effort to overturn the 2020
election and a religious conservative opposed to abortion rights,
homosexuality and gay marriage, further cemented the Republican
Party's lurch to the right." [New York Times,
10/25/23]
Rep. Johnson Sponsored Legislation To Ban Discussions Of Sexual
Orientation And Gender Identity At Institutions Receiving Federal
Funds When Minors Under The Age Of 10 Are Present. According to
the New York Times, "Mr. Johnson, a lawyer, is the former chairman
of the Republican Study Committee and sponsored legislation that
would effectively bar the discussion of sexual orientation or gender
identity at any institution serving children younger than 10 that
receives federal funds." [New York Times,
10/25/23]
Rep. Johnson Supports Broad Abortion Bans. According to the New
York Times, Johnson "supports a national abortion ban and has
co-sponsored a 20-week abortion ban." [New York Times,
10/25/23]
Rep. Johnson Pledged To Prioritize Aid To Israel, Fixing The
Southern Border, Reducing Federal Spending, And Decentralizing The
Government. According to the New York Times, "In a speech that
traced his ascent up the political ladder in Louisiana to Congress,
Mr. Johnson pledged to try to 'restore the people's faith in this
House.' He cited sending aid to Israel, fixing a 'broken' southern
border, and reining in federal spending as his top legislative
priorities." [New York Times,
10/25/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Elect Patrick McHenry As Speaker Of The
House. In October 2023, Fitzpatrick voted to elect Patrick McHenry as
Speaker of the House. As no one received a majority of the votes cast,
the House did not elect a speaker. [House Vote 525,
10/20/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Elect Jim Jordan As Speaker Of The House.
In October 2023, Fitzpatrick voted to elect Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) as
Speaker of the House for the 118th Congress. As no one received a
majority of the votes cast, the House did not elect a speaker. [House
Vote 523, 10/18/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Elect Jim Jordan As Speaker Of The House.
In October 2023, Fitzpatrick voted to elect Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) as
Speaker of the House for the 118th Congress. As no one received a
majority of the votes cast, the House did not elect a speaker. [House
Vote 521, 10/17/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For Kevin McCarthy For Speaker Of The House
For The 118th Congress. In January 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for Kevin McCarthy on the "nomination of
Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for speaker of
the House of Representatives for the 118th Congress." The vote was on
the election of the House Speaker. Kevin McCarthy won the election of
the Speaker by a vote of 216 to 212. This was the 15th ballot for the
election of the Speaker in the 118th session. [House Vote 20,
1/7/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/7/23]
McCarthy Secured The Speakership On The 15th Ballot After 4 Days
Of Unsuccessful House Votes. According to Roll Call, "Kevin
McCarthy officially secured the speaker's gavel early Saturday,
elected on the 15th ballot with 216 votes, after four days of
unsuccessful House votes and some last-minute drama." [Roll Call,
1/7/23]
The Six "Present" Votes Helped Lower The Votes Threshold And
Allowed McCarthy To Secure The Speakership. According to Roll
Call, "Gaetz voted 'present' again on that 15th and final ballot.
But this time the other four Republicans who voted against McCarthy
on the 14th ballot --- Arizona's Andy Biggs and Eli Crane,
Virginia's Bob Good and Montana's Matt Rosendale --- also voted
'present.' [...] The six 'present' votes lowered the threshold
McCarthy needed to win to 215. He pulled it out with one extra. All
212 Democrats voted for their leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York."
[Roll Call,
1/7/23;
House Vote 20,
1/7/23]
McCarthy Won Over House GOP Critics By Committing To Limiting
Spending, Using The Debt Ceiling As Leverage, And Hold Votes On
Republican Priorities, Including A Balanced Budget, Term Limits And
Border Security. According to Roll Call, "McCarthy won over most
of his House Republican critics with a series of commitments to rein
in spending --- opening up the appropriations process in the House
and using the debt ceiling as leverage --- and to hold votes on
conservative priorities, like a balanced budget, congressional term
limits and a border security plan Texas Republicans crafted." [Roll
Call,
1/7/23]
McCarthy Promised Proportional Representation Of House Freedom
Caucus Members On Committees Compared To Other Republican
Ideological Groups. According to Roll Call, "McCarthy also agreed
to ensure the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, which most of
his flipped opponents are members of, has proportional
representation on committees compared to other ideological groups in
the Republican Conference." [Roll Call,
1/7/23]
McCarthy Promised To Restore A Procedural Rule For Ousting A
Sitting House Speaker By Allowing One Member To Force A Recall Vote
Whenever. According to Roll Call, "And perhaps most importantly,
the California Republican agreed to restore a longstanding rule on
the procedure for ousting a sitting speaker to allow one member to
force a recall vote at any time. His detractors said this concession
was needed to ensure accountability, as they didn't inherently trust
McCarthy to make the changes he promised without a backstop." [Roll
Call,
1/7/23]
McCarthy Was Able To Flip 14 Out Of The 20 Republicans Who Voted
Against His Nominations And Last-Minute Negotiations Led To The
Final 6 Republicans To Vote Present Instead. According to Roll
Call, "In the end McCarthy's commitments flipped 14 of the 20
Republicans who voted against him on earlier rounds of balloting.
And some last-minute floor negotiations led the rest of his
detractors to vote 'present' and lower the threshold needed for him
to squeeze out the win." [Roll Call,
1/7/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Elect Kevin McCarthy As Speaker Of The
House For The 118th Congress. In January 2023, Fitzpatrick voted to
elect Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as Speaker of the House of Representatives
for the 118th Congress. The vote was on the election of the House
Speaker. McCarthy won the election of the Speaker by a vote of 216 to
212. This was the 15th ballot for the election of the Speaker in the
118th session. [House Vote 20,
1/7/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/7/23]
McCarthy Secured The Speakership On The 15th Ballot After 4 Days
Of Unsuccessful House Votes. According to Roll Call, "Kevin
McCarthy officially secured the speaker's gavel early Saturday,
elected on the 15th ballot with 216 votes, after four days of
unsuccessful House votes and some last-minute drama." [Roll Call,
1/7/23]
The Six "Present" Votes Helped Lower The Votes Threshold And
Allowed McCarthy To Secure The Speakership. According to Roll
Call, "Gaetz voted 'present' again on that 15th and final ballot.
But this time the other four Republicans who voted against McCarthy
on the 14th ballot --- Arizona's Andy Biggs and Eli Crane,
Virginia's Bob Good and Montana's Matt Rosendale --- also voted
'present.' [...] The six 'present' votes lowered the threshold
McCarthy needed to win to 215. He pulled it out with one extra. All
212 Democrats voted for their leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York."
[Roll Call,
1/7/23;
House Vote 20,
1/7/23]
McCarthy Won Over House GOP Critics By Committing To Limiting
Spending, Using The Debt Ceiling As Leverage, And Hold Votes On
Republican Priorities, Including A Balanced Budget, Term Limits And
Border Security. According to Roll Call, "McCarthy won over most
of his House Republican critics with a series of commitments to rein
in spending --- opening up the appropriations process in the House
and using the debt ceiling as leverage --- and to hold votes on
conservative priorities, like a balanced budget, congressional term
limits and a border security plan Texas Republicans crafted." [Roll
Call,
1/7/23]
McCarthy Promised Proportional Representation Of House Freedom
Caucus Members On Committees Compared To Other Republican
Ideological Groups. According to Roll Call, "McCarthy also agreed
to ensure the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, which most of
his flipped opponents are members of, has proportional
representation on committees compared to other ideological groups in
the Republican Conference." [Roll Call,
1/7/23]
McCarthy Promised To Restore A Procedural Rule For Ousting A
Sitting House Speaker By Allowing One Member To Force A Recall Vote
Whenever. According to Roll Call, "And perhaps most importantly,
the California Republican agreed to restore a longstanding rule on
the procedure for ousting a sitting speaker to allow one member to
force a recall vote at any time. His detractors said this concession
was needed to ensure accountability, as they didn't inherently trust
McCarthy to make the changes he promised without a backstop." [Roll
Call,
1/7/23]
McCarthy Was Able To Flip 14 Out Of The 20 Republicans Who Voted
Against His Nominations And Last-Minute Negotiations Led To The
Final 6 Republicans To Vote Present Instead. According to Roll
Call, "In the end McCarthy's commitments flipped 14 of the 20
Republicans who voted against him on earlier rounds of balloting.
And some last-minute floor negotiations led the rest of his
detractors to vote 'present' and lower the threshold needed for him
to squeeze out the win." [Roll Call,
1/7/23]
2024: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Vacating The Office Of The
Speaker. In May 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, the "motion to table (kill) the resolution (H
Res 1209) that would declare the office of the Speaker of the House
vacant." The vote was on the motion to table. The House agreed to the
motion by a vote of 359 to 43. [House Vote 188,
5/8/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/8/24;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1209]
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene Brought The Motion Following
The Move By Speaker Johnson To Bring The Fiscal 2024 Appropriations
And Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations To The Floor. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Greene, R-Ga., made her long-telegraphed
move against Johnson after reading a lengthy litany of complaints
about his tenure in office, which began in late October, on the
floor. She offered her resolution (H Res 1209) to declare the office
of the speaker vacant during a break in other legislative business.
[...]Greene has said that Johnson is a 'Democrat speaker' and is
particularly upset that Johnson brought to the floor compromise
fiscal 2024 appropriations legislation (PL 118-42; PL 118-47) and a
war supplemental package (PL 118-50) that included aid for Ukraine."
[Congressional Quarterly,
5/8/24]
Greene Initially Introduced The Measure Weeks Ago And Trump
Attempted To Dissuade Her. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Greene initially introduced the measure after the passage of the
second of the two appropriations packages, leading to weeks of
speculation of if and when she would make her move. But former
President Donald Trump intervened and tried to persuade Greene to
back down, according to reports, leading to speculation that the
situation might be defused." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/8/24]
Greene And Representative Thomas Massie Met With Johnson To
Negotiate, Which Johnson Refused To Do. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "It had appeared that Greene and her ally Thomas Massie,
R-Ky., had put their effort on pause Tuesday, after meetings with
Johnson on Monday and Tuesday in which they delivered four
'requests' to the speaker. They were joined by Arizona's Paul Gosar,
the only other Republican to publicly back the effort. The trio is
asking that Johnson only bring legislation to the floor that has the
support of a majority of the conference; oppose any additional
Ukraine aid; defund the office of special counsel Jack Smith; and
include a 1 percent across-the-board spending cut in a continuing
resolution that will be needed past Sept. 30 if all fiscal 2025
appropriations bills are not passed in time. Johnson, however, said
he is not negotiating with Greene and her allies." [Congressional
Quarterly, 5/8/24]
Democrats Protected Johnson From The Motion, Likely Due To His
Willingness To Bring Foreign Aid To The Floor. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "But when Congress returned from its recess
last week, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and his two
deputies put speculation to rest by declaring they would vote to
table Greene's motion to vacate. 'At this moment, upon completion of
our national security work, the time has come to turn the page on
this chapter of Pro-Putin Republican obstruction,' Jeffries, Whip
Katherine M. Clark, D-Mass., and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar,
D-Calif., said in their statement. [...] Johnson's decision to
move funding for allies appears to have played a major role in
Democrats' move to protect him. The speaker had stated he needed
changes to the country's immigration and border enforcement laws to
move Ukraine aid, but ended up bringing legislation to the floor
without border provisions." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/8/24]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Vacating The Office Of The Speaker Of
The House. In October 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against a resolution that would "declare the office of
the Speaker of the House vacant." The vote was on adoption of a
resolution. The House adopted the resolution by a vote of 216 to 210,
thus Kevin McCarthy was ousted as Speaker of the House. [House Vote
519, 10/3/23;
Congressional Quarterly,
10/3/23; Congressional Actions,
H.Res.
757]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted To Vacate The Office Of The
Speaker Of The House. In October 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to table the Gaetz, R-Fla.,
resolution." The vote was on the motion to table. The House rejected the
motion by a vote of 208 to 218. [House Vote 518,
10/3/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 10/3/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
757]