House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has warned that Democrats will not provide any votes to support Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., or any other Republican candidate in the upcoming Jan. 3 election for the next Congress, deepening the pressure on Johnson to secure unity among his party's slim majority, The Hill reported.
Johnson faces a crucial vote on Jan. 3 to retain his gavel, but Jeffries made it clear Wednesday that Democrats will not step in to help if his Republican colleagues revolt.
"I can say with a relatively high degree of confidence that no Democratic votes will be forthcoming for any Republican Speaker candidate on Jan. 3," Jeffries told reporters at the Capitol.
Johnson, one of the most conservative lawmakers in the House, has gained support from President-elect Donald Trump, bolstering his position ahead of the vote. However, some hard-line conservatives remain skeptical of his leadership after he struck deals with Democrats on government funding and military aid to Ukraine.
These tensions could put his speakership in jeopardy.
Johnson narrowly survived a challenge from far-right Republicans in May after he reached across the aisle to strike a bipartisan agreement. The effort to oust him was defeated by a 359-43 vote, with only 10 Republicans and 33 Democrats supporting his removal.
This show of Democrat support marked a departure from their stance during the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in October last year. In that instance, Democrats refrained from intervening, allowing eight Republicans to remove McCarthy from power.
To maintain his position, Johnson will need to secure at least 218 votes in the upcoming vote. With Republicans set to control a slim 220-215 majority in the next Congress, Johnson cannot afford more than one GOP defection. The Republican margin will shrink further in early 2025 following the resignation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., leaving Johnson in an even tighter bind.
Jeffries' statement underscores the growing partisan divisions in the House and reflects a Democratic strategy of letting Republicans manage their internal disputes without outside intervention.
Republican infighting could threaten to upend legislative progress in the early months of 2025, as Johnson attempts to navigate a fractured caucus and rising tensions among conservatives. His track record of bipartisan dealmaking may not sit well with hard-liners, adding another layer of complexity to his bid for reelection as speaker.
Despite the challenges, Johnson remains outwardly confident, buoyed by endorsements from Trump and key Republican leaders. Meanwhile, Jeffries, whose own party holds 215 seats, joked about his own leadership aspirations.
"In terms of my own nomination," he quipped, "I'm just trying hard to get to 215."
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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