Rep. Elise Stefanik (Republican-NY) nominated Rep. Mike Johnson. In her speech, she leaned into common themes against Democrats, including defunding the police, border security, and the weaponization of the federal government, often reported by further-right members of the party.

Democrats nominated Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY) for speaker. Johnson received votes from all 220 Republicans present; Jeffries received votes from all 209 Democrats present.

Rep. Hal Rogers (Republican-Ky) administered the oath of office to the new House Speaker Mike Johnson, and congratulated him on his election.

Immediately, Speaker Johnson had a message for the countries worldwide that had been watching the congressional drama play out over the last few weeks.

"We want our allies around the world to know that this body of lawmakers is reporting again to our duty stations," Johnson said.  "Let the enemies of freedom around the world hear us loud and clear: The People's House is back in business."

Johnson said the first bill he will bring to the House floor as soon as today is a resolution defending Israel in its war against Hamas.

President Joe Biden, in a statement Wednesday, congratulated Johnson, who was one of the chief architects of the legal effort to overturn the 2020 elections, and said he will work with him "in good faith on behalf of the American people."

"I restated my willingness to continue working across the aisle after Republicans won the majority in the House last year," Biden said. "By the same token, the American people have made clear that they expect House Republicans to work with me and with Senate Democrats to govern across the aisle."

The President noted that, while House Republicans "spent the last 22 days determining who would lead the conference," his administration "worked on pressing issues," including proposing funding for Israel, Ukraine, and the US border. He said Congress needs to "move swiftly to address our national security and to avoid a shutdown in 22 days."

When Johnson was asked whether he believed 2020 was stolen, the newly elected speaker declined to answer before walking away. "We are not talking about any issues today," he said. "My position is very well known."

Johnson contested the results of the 2020 election and voted against certifying Joe Biden's electoral win.

Most notable, however, are the apprehensions being expressed by Democrats.

Democrats who had worked with Rep. Mike Johnson on the House Judiciary Committee say the new speaker's reputation for cordiality does not make up for his deeply conservative views and efforts to overturn Joe Biden's election victory in 2020.

"I have worked with him, certainly been collegial with him in the past," Rep. Joe Naguse (D-Colo.), who serves on a committee with Johnson, said in a brief interview after Johnson was elected speaker. '"But the reality is he was one of the architects of the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. And I feel that deeply problematic."

Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), another Judiciary Committee member, told reporters that Johnson "is one of the very determined ideologues." He added that "there are members of the committee who are much more open to working together on the variety of issues" but that Johnson is not among them.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (Democrat-NY) said he hopes to avoid a government shutdown. He stressed that any legislation on funding must be bipartisan.

In his first remarks as speaker, Johnson said his wife was not able to find a flight to get to DC in time for his victory.

I want to thank my dedicated wife of almost 25 years, Kelly," he said. "She is not here. We could not get a flight in time. This happened sort of suddenly."           

(To be continued)