All eyes were 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 might have 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 gave opponents of Johnson heavy leverage. He could afford to lose only one GOP member and win election if all Democrats are present. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) vowed to oppose him, meaning one other GOP “no” vote likely would be enough to prevent him from winning on the first ballot.
Roughly a dozen conservatives were tight-lipped on whether they will vote for the incumbent leader to remain in the post.
The vote was scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. EST.
Watch the video replay above.