President-elect Donald Trump He is being urged to intervene as House Republicans face pressure to quickly elect the next speaker even though a handful of party members pose a threat to their razor-thin majority, leaving House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Los Angeles, to control the gavel – It is possible that the fate of ratifying the elections hangs in the balance.
“It's a terrible challenge. We've seen it evolve over the last couple of years. It's been very difficult for Kevin McCarthy. It's been very difficult for Mike Johnson. It's going to be very difficult for whoever is elected president of our conference.” Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., told Fox News on Sunday.
He added: “But ultimately, the difference between the 119th Congress and the 118th Congress is that we will have a Republican president, a strong Republican president who is very popular among Republican members of Congress and voters back home, and that is Donald Trump.” continued.
US President-elect Donald Trump looks on during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center on December 22, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
But the math is exhausting for Johnson, especially if a few of his fellow Republicans decide to vote for someone else, preventing him from reaching the magic number of 218.
As senior congressional correspondent for Fox News Chad Pergram saidThe obstruction “paralyzes the House of Representatives,” preventing it from swearing in members, forming committees, and even ratifying the results of the 2024 elections, if the matter extends to January 6.
After that, the president pro tempore, the most senior member of the Senate majority party, could take on the role of “acting president” if the House is still sorting out the speakership issue on January 20, when Trump is scheduled to take office.
That means Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, could “most likely” take on that role, according to Pergram.
House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) speaks during a hearing with FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf at the Rayburn House Office Building on April 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Acknowledging the potential challenge, Coomer continued, “I strongly encourage Donald Trump to get on the phone with those five or six members who are not going to commit to voting for Mike Johnson because all of this is going to delay us.
“It will delay ratification Election of President Trump. This would delay the start of his first 100 days in office, the most critical time frame of his entire presidency. “This is the time when you get the most done historically, so I strongly encourage President Trump to get on the phone and try to unite everyone so we can work together as a team and make America great again.”
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Fox News' Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
