Famed Christian evangelist Franklin Graham is the latest to weigh in on the contentious speakership battle in the U.S. House of Representatives, openly throwing his support behind Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), who won the Republican nomination for Speaker on Tuesday.
“I don’t have a vote, but if I did, it would be for @RepMikeJohnson. He’s a good man. God bless him and his family!” Graham exclaimed.
Johnson, vice chairman of the House GOP conference, won the nomination on Tuesday hours after Rep. Mike Emmer (R-MN) won the nomination, only to later withdraw, facing the stark reality that he did not have the votes to emerge victorious.
The House gaveled in at noon on Wednesday as the proceedings continued. As Breitbart News reported, if all members of each party are present and vote, Johnson would need 217 votes, given that there are two House vacancies.
WATCH — Elise Stefanik Delivers Speech Backing Mike Johnson for Speaker to Thunderous Applause:
U.S. House of Representatives“There are 221 voting Republicans, which means Johnson could only afford to lose four members. Since there are 212 voting Democrats, if Republicans have any present votes Johnson would need to put up at least 213 votes and depending on the vote math not have anyone voting against him, or very few,” as Breitbart News reported.
However, the number needed could shrink due to absences, reducing the winning figure to 215 needed to win.
Johnson has expressed confidence that he will win “on the first vote.”
The speaker-designate already has support from some of the most high-profile figures in U.S. politics — namely, former President Donald Trump, who strongly suggested that Republicans go with “the leading candidate, Mike Johnson, & GET IT DONE, FAST!”
Trump wrote [emphasis added]:
Congratulations to Congressional Republicans! Yesterday was a big and very important day. It gave us a quick and easy way forward with 5 candidates who are beyond reproach, and represent the absolute best there is in the Republican Party. Even the Fake News Media is impressed with what took place yesterday and, more importantly, with the Candidates themselves. Congratulations to Reps. Byron Donalds (Florida), Charles J. “Chuck” Fleischmann (Tennessee), Mark Green (Tennessee), & Roger Williams (Texas), & the ultimate winner of yesterday’s vote, by a significant margin, Mike Johnson (Louisiana). I am not going to make an Endorsement in this race, because I COULD NEVER GO AGAINST ANY OF THESE FINE AND VERY TALENTED MEN, all of whom have supported me, in both mind and spirit, from the very beginning of our GREAT 2016 Victory.
“In 2024, we will have an even bigger, & more important, WIN! My strong SUGGESTION is to go with the leading candidate, Mike Johnson, & GET IT DONE, FAST! LOVE, DJT,” Trump concluded.
Follow the Breitbart News livewire for continuing updates on this developing story.
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