Reps. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Keith Self (R-Texas) both recounted their phone call with President-elect Trump before switching their votes to back House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), with Norman saying it helped reassure him about Johnson.
Along with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Norman and Self initially voted for other people for Speaker, appearing to deny Johnson a win on the first ballot. But while Massie held out to vote instead for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Norman and Self switched their votes in favor of Johnson after Trump called them.
Norman told reporters that Trump and Johnson assured him and Self that Johnson would “fight for us” and “fight for everybody.” He said they wanted to press Johnson to make sure that he is serious about addressing the federal budget and border security.
Self called it a “lively” discussion.
Norman said he knew where Trump stood, supporting Johnson’s bid, but the call with the president-elect was helpful. He said Trump argued that Johnson is likeable and is the only person who could get enough votes to be elected speaker.
But Norman also defended his decision-making process in an interview with Fox News after the vote.
“The only way I had to let my voice be heard was what I did. I would do it again,” he said.
Soon after Johnson clinched the speakership, members of the House Freedom Caucus released a letter issuing a list of demands for Johnson as speaker and the legislation that he should bring to the floor. Norman was one of the 11 signatories.
