Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who led the effort to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, has joined in a chorus of Republicans supporting the new House speaker nominee, Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.<\/p>\n
After Republicans spent most of Tuesday behind closed doors selecting Johnson as the new GOP speaker candidate, Gaetz praised him as a \u2018good godly man who\u2019s going to advance Republicans.\u2019 The Florida Republican also told a group of reporters that his colleague is the \u2018best possible candidate\u2019 as the GOP looks to finally elect a speaker after McCarthy was voted out of the position three weeks ago.<\/p>\n
One issue in particular that attracted conference members to Johnson was his support for single subject appropriations bills, or spending bills that fund one department or initiative at a time rather than a spending package that can force members to support some spending levels they would be uncomfortable with otherwise supporting, Gaetz said.<\/p>\n
\u2018He talks about single subject spending bills being the organizing principle in the House of Representatives. That is what I\u2019ve been fighting for since January,\u2019 Gaetz said of Johnson. \u2018It is the reason Kevin McCarthy was vacated and despite the swamps, best efforts, we got a good godly man who\u2019s going to advance Republicans.\u2019<\/p>\n
A majority of Republicans backed Johnson, who received 128 votes in the final round of votes, with Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., getting 29, sources confirmed to Fox News Digital. Other candidates, including McCarthy, received votes.<\/p>\n
Johnson said he was \u2018honored\u2019 to have the support of his colleagues and exhibit \u2018servant leadership\u2019 in Congress.<\/p>\n
\u2018We\u2019re going to serve the people of this country. We\u2019re going to restore their faith in this Congress, in this institution of government,\u2019 Johnson said.<\/p>\n
He added, \u2018We\u2019re going to govern well. We\u2019re going to do what\u2019s right by the people, and believe people are going to reward that next year.\u2019<\/p>\n
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., won multiple rounds of voting earlier in the day to become the party\u2019s nominee but ultimately withdrew his candidacy in the face of staunch opposition from within the conference, as well as former President Trump.<\/p>\n
Speaking with reporters Tuesday, Gaetz said there were efforts within the committee to try and prevent Johnson from winning the nomination, but his supporters ultimately succeeded in getting him across the finish line.<\/p>\n
\u2018Well, Kevin McCarthy did everything we could to scuttle Mike Johnson without announcing his candidacy, and he had, like, 40 people vote to try to create a balance against anybody getting to 217 but we scoped him out,\u2019 Gaetz said. \u2018We have votes for Mike Johnson across the board. And from some of these conservative members of our conference to some of our freight liners. There was enthusiastic support for this transformation.\u2019<\/p>\n
The Floridian said he had \u2018nothing bad to say about those other candidates\u2019 but that the consensus process \u2014 which \u2018sometimes it takes a little longer\u2019 \u2014 ultimately \u2018demands consensus.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018This process clearly demanded consensus, and it led to the best possible candidate,\u2019 Gaetz said.<\/p>\n
Gaetz\u2019s praise for Johnson echoes that of some of his Republican colleagues, who are hopeful this latest nominee \u2014 the fourth after Rep. Steve Scalise, R.-La., Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Emmer \u2014 will become the next House speaker.<\/p>\n
Scalise released a statement Tuesday calling Johnson \u2018honest, hardworking, and principled.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018He is a great man and will make a great speaker. I look forward to continuing to work with my good friend to get this country back on track and deliver results for American families who deserve better from Washington,\u2019 Scalise said.<\/p>\n
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., told Fox News Digital, \u2018All the different factions came together, and we\u2019re confident that the members who weren\u2019t here will recognize the unity that we have [and] importance of the mission ahead.\u2019<\/p>\n
Rep. Russell Fry, R-SC, told Fox News that he felt \u2018great\u2019 with Johnson as the nominee.<\/p>\n
\u2018Mike Johnson was the consensus pick, he\u2019s a great guy, he\u2019s well trusted,\u2019 he said. \u2018And I think overwhelmingly tonight the conference is ready to stand behind him on the floor tomorrow, and he is going to lead us over the next year and a half as we continue our work as the House Republican majority. \u2018<\/p>\n
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., agreed, saying Republicans \u2018are unified.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Oh, yeah, absolutely,\u2019 Diaz-Balart said when asked about supporting Johnson. \u2018I think we are, we are unified. I think we are confident and we\u2019re unified. You know, democracy is sometimes sloppy. \u2018<\/p>\n
A vote for Johnson\u2019s speakership is expected on Wednesday afternoon, however, both Scalise and Emmer dropped their candidacy before receiving a full floor vote.<\/p>\n
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-NC, has remained the speaker pro tempore, overseeing only minimal House protocols, since McCarthy\u2019s exit.<\/p>\n
Fox News\u2019 Kelly Phares, Elizabeth Elkind and Houston Keene contributed to this report.<\/p>\n