All eyes are on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) Friday as the House is set to vote on whether he will keep the gavel in the 119th Congress.
What has historically been a routine vote has been upended by the rise of the populist right — whose members have demanded more power in crafting legislation in the House.
The tight GOP majority also gives opponents of Johnson heavy leverage. He can only afford to lose one GOP member and win election if all Democrats are present. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has vowed to oppose him, meaning a single other GOP “no” vote would likely be enough to prevent him from winning on the first ballot.
Roughly a dozen conservatives have been tight-lipped on whether they will vote for the incumbent leader to remain in the post.
The vote is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. EST.
Watch the live video above.
