US Rep. Mike Johnson elected House speaker: How the Tennessee delegation voted

The Tennessean

After a turbulent 21 days without a U.S. House speaker, Tennessee Republicans united with the rest of the House GOP Conference to give Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., the speaker’s gavel on Wednesday afternoon.

Johnson earned all 220 votes from House Republicans present, unifying the Republican conference for the first time since former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted, and surpassing the 217 needed to win the speakership. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., again earned unanimous support from the Democratic caucus.

The vote came hours after short-lived bids for the speakership from two Tennessee Republicans, U.S. Reps. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, and Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah, who both pledged support for Johnson after elimination from the race Tuesday evening.

The speaker’s chair has been empty for more than two weeks after eight Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, voted to oust McCarthy. No foreign aid, including for Ukraine and Israel, or any other spending bills can move forward through the House until members elect a speaker. 

Here’s how Tennessee’s Congressional delegation voted:

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville: “Mike Johnson is a good man who answers to the people, not the lobbyists. He will unite our party and push fiscally responsible policies because he fears God and puts this country first. I was proud to vote for him on the floor and I look forward to his leadership.” Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-South Pittsburg: “Congratulations to my friend, Mike Johnson, on his election to Speaker of the House. Disagreements among members of our party have been put on display in recent weeks. While we may not always agree on the strategy and direction of advancing conservative Republican principals, it is important to finally unify and unite and work toward being an effective check and balance on a Biden administration and Democratic Senate that is out of touch with an overwhelming majority of the people of the 4th district of Tennessee,” DesJarlais said in a statement. “I was pleased to vote for Mike Johnson yesterday at conference and today on the floor, and I look forward to resuming the work of advancing the goals of fiscal responsibility, securing the border, and protecting the national security interests of our country.”Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah: “Mike Johnson is a man of strong faith and firm conservative convictions, and will be an excellent Speaker for the American People. I’m proud that our House Republican majority united to elect Mike on the first ballot to be our Speaker. It’s time for us to get back to work delivering commonsense, conservative solutions to fix Democrats’ disastrous policies that are hurting Americans and making our country less safe,” Fleischmann said in a statement. “Mike believes in individual freedom, limited government, the rule of law, fiscal responsibility, and peace through strength – this is the agenda the American People demand, and that House Republicans are committed to delivering. I look forward to working closely with Speaker Johnson to get back to work to fix Democrats’ disastrous record of high inflation, open borders, out-of-control crime, and weakness abroad.”Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville: “It was an honor for me to endorse Mike Johnson as our next Speaker when I ended my campaign. It’s time to unite behind Speaker-designate Johnson and to get back to work,” Green said in a statement Tuesday evening. “It will take a unified Republican Conference to secure the border, cut inflationary spending, and preserve the Constitution–these are our ultimate goals. I’m ready to help Mike Johnson in leading us to accomplish these goals.”Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Kingsport: “Today, House Republicans elected a man of faith that will champion our conservative vision for America,” Harshbarger said in a statement. “Speaker Johnson will work tirelessly to unite our conference, hold the Biden administration accountable, and address the many challenges facing our nation. I look forward to working with Speaker Johnson to secure our borders, rein in wasteful spending, undo the weaponization of our government, and put the interests of the American People first once more.”Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia: “Today, I voted to elect Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana as Speaker of the House of Representatives. I trust that Mike will be able to effectively lead our conference and get to work for the American People.”Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville: “I’ve had the pleasure of watching his steadfast leadership and commitment to his faith and conservative values as Chairman of the largest Republican caucus in Congress, the Republican Study Committee, and as Vice-Chair of the Republican Conference, and from working with him during my time in Congress, I know that his values closely match the values of the people of Middle and East Tennessee in the Sixth District,” Rose said in a statement Wednesday. “Republicans are united and ready to govern under his leadership, and I am excited to get back to work on behalf of the American people and the folks I’m honored to represent in Tennessee’s Sixth District.”Rep. David Kustoff, R-Germantown: “Congratulations to my friend, Mike Johnson, on being elected Speaker of the House. Mike is a steadfast conservative leader who is ready and able to lead the House Republican Conference. I look forward to working with him to deliver much needed assistance to Israel, fund our government, secure our southern border, and get our economy back on track. It’s time to get to work.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis: “#MikeJohnson isn’t part of mainstream thought on #WomensRights #LGBTQRights or #democracy,” Cohen wrote in a social media post. “He seeks to join #Trump‘s inner circle—I want to see it in history’s rearview mirror. An aberrant #Speaker candidate for America, but maybe not for a sinking GOP in search of a lifesaver.”