Johnson allies urge Trump to reaffirm support for speaker ahead of January vote

House Speaker Mike Johnson's allies on Monday urged President-elect Donald Trump to reaffirm his support in the speaker to avoid a messy vote next month that could delay the certification of the 2024 elections.

House members are expected to vote on the new speaker when they return from the holidays on January 3. Once the speaker is confirmed then the lawmakers will officially be sworn into office, and then vote on January 6 to certify the 2024 election results.

Johnson, who was nominated for speaker again by the GOP last month, has met the fury of some Republican lawmakers for first trying to pass a massive spending bill to keeps the federal government funded through March. The chamber passed a slimmed-down version Friday at the 11th hour, but it did not include Trump's request to lift the federal debt limit. 

The speaker can only afford to lose three votes next month because of a tight majority amid 34 Republicans have voted against the final bill. One lawmaker has already said he would not support Johnson.

Johnson's allies urged Trump, who opposed the first government funding bill, to weigh in on the potential fight so that Congress can start the term quickly. 

"If we have some kind of protracted fight where we can’t elect a speaker – the speaker’s not elected; we’re not sworn in. And if we’re not sworn in, we can’t certify the election," Florida GOP Rep. Carlos Gimenez told Fox News. 

"I would hope that President Trump would chime in and talk to those who are maybe a little hesitant, and say, ‘We’ve got to get going. We don’t have time.’"

Texas Rep. Pat Fallon, a Republican, said it would be "really cool" if Trump made a powerful move by inviting the speaker to his Mar-a-Lago resort for Christmas. 

New York GOP Rep. Claudia Tenney also expressed her support Trump jumping into the speakership battle.

"To ensure President Trump can take office and hit the ground running on Jan. 20, we must be able to certify the 2024 election on Jan. 6. However, without a speaker, we cannot complete this process," she said, warning that not electing Johnson could delay "the launch of [Trump's] agenda."

Trump himself has not commented on Johnson since last week's vote. Johnson also does not have any challengers so far, but Tennessee GOP Rep. Tim Burchett said Trump's opinion will weigh heavily on who becomes the next speaker. 

"I think, ultimately, it's going to be decided who President Trump likes, because I believe that will weigh in heavily on the decision-making of that, because, currently, President Trump works very well with Mike Johnson," Burchett said on CNN. "They have a great relationship."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.