WASHINGTON — Representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana was narrowly re-elected as Speaker of the House on Friday, underscoring divisions within the Republican Party as it seeks to advance the agenda of President-elect Donald J. Trump.
Mr. Johnson secured 218 votes, the bare minimum required for victory, after a tense roll-call vote lasting nearly two hours. Initially, he appeared to fall short as several Republicans withheld their support. However, two dissenting lawmakers switched their votes after lengthy negotiations, reportedly including a direct call from Mr. Trump to one holdout.
Republicans hold a fragile 219-215 majority in the chamber, leaving little room for internal discord.
The contentious vote served as an early test of Republican cohesion under Mr. Trump’s leadership, as the party faces significant legislative challenges, including extending the 2017 tax cuts set to expire this year and addressing the nation’s ballooning $36 trillion debt.
“We’re going to drastically cut back the size and scope of government,” Mr. Johnson said after the vote, pledging to prioritize Mr. Trump’s tax and border enforcement policies.
But the razor-thin outcome highlighted the fractures that have plagued House Republicans in recent years. Mr. Johnson ascended to the speakership last year after the party ousted Kevin McCarthy midway through his term, reflecting ongoing power struggles within the caucus.
The vote also tested Mr. Trump’s sway on Capitol Hill. Representative Keith Self of Texas, one of three Republicans who initially opposed Mr. Johnson, said he had a “lively” discussion with Mr. Trump before ultimately switching his vote. Mr. Self said he secured assurances that conservative voices would be included in shaping major legislation on tax and immigration policy.
“We needed more input from members like myself—not a chairman, not a leadership position—and I think that’s what we have done,” Mr. Self told reporters after the vote.
Another holdout, Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina, also flipped his vote for Mr. Johnson. A close ally of the speaker, speaking anonymously, said Mr. Johnson had pledged to lead the House in a “constructive” way but made no explicit promises about changing the chamber’s rules.
Still, dissent lingered. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a frequent critic of party leadership, was the lone Republican to oppose Mr. Johnson in the final tally. Six other Republicans who initially abstained eventually cast their votes for Mr. Johnson.
The marathon session showcased the intense lobbying efforts within the Republican caucus. Members lingered on the House floor long after voting concluded, with Mr. Johnson and his allies personally urging holdouts to reconsider.
A Reuters photographer captured an image of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who voted for Mr. Johnson, speaking on her phone during the vote. The name “Susie Wiles”—Mr. Trump’s incoming chief of staff—was visible on her screen.
Following the vote, Mr. Trump praised Mr. Johnson in a social media post, writing: “Mike will be a Great Speaker, and our Country will be the beneficiary.”
The challenges for House Republicans are far from over. Internal divisions have hindered the party’s ability to maintain discipline on key votes, a dynamic that could complicate efforts to pass high-stakes legislation in the months ahead.
Mr. Johnson’s re-election may have solidified his hold on the speaker’s gavel for now, but the narrow victory highlights the ongoing struggles of a party trying to balance loyalty to Mr. Trump with the competing interests of its members.
