Democrats express varying reactions to Johnson's speaker triumph: 'Hell has frozen over'

Republican Rep. Mike Johnson was re-elected as speaker of the House for the 119th Congress, prompting mixed reactions from democratic lawmakers.

On Friday, lawmakers on Capitol Hill voted for a speaker to begin the new Congress, with Johnson winning the race in the first round. However, not all GOP lawmakers initially supported his candidacy.

In the first round, three Republicans voted against Johnson. However, after a brief meeting with Johnson in the GOP cloakroom, Reps. Ralph Norman and Keith Self switched their vote, securing the speakership for Johnson.

As the GOP Civil War intensifies, House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries wrote on X, "The GOP Civil War is in full swing. And it’s only Day 1."

"Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., expressed disappointment on social media after the GOP failed to elect their own Speaker of the House, stating that it only took a few minutes for the train to derail. She had hoped to leave the dysfunction behind and work for the American people, but it seems they are headed for a second round of Speaker votes."

Rep. Hank Johnson, R-Ga., stated that Mike Johnson learned from the 15-round debacle that occurred two years ago. Instead of attempting to rush a second round, Johnson held the vote open, allowing for some backroom arm-twisting and hand-wringing to occur. As a result, two votes were changed, which was enough to secure the gavel.

The Democrat said, "This fight is over, but keep your popcorn close."

DC is experiencing snowfall, which is a literal occurrence of hell freezing over! Despite this, the Speaker has been elected with just one vote, as stated by Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Mo., on X.

Now that we have a Speaker, let's get to work, said Democratic Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky.

After Johnson won the speakership vote, other Democrats congratulated him.

"Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., congratulated Mike Johnson on his re-election as Speaker of the House and highlighted several bipartisan bills that could be brought to the floor to address pressing issues, including affordable housing, prescription drug costs, and border security."

Democratic lawmakers voted unanimously for Representative-elect Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., stated on X after the vote that 215 House Democrats remain united behind their leader, Rep. Jeffries.