Johnson, a Republican from north Louisiana, is pushing a single bill using a parliamentary maneuver called “budget reconciliation,” challenging the two-bill strategy pursued by a pair of Senate Republicans, Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

Two holdouts were convinced to change their minds and support Johnson after all the first-ballot votes were initially cast.

In past years, Democratic President Joe Biden, Trump and even a senator, Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky, have received votes for House speaker. None received the majority of the vote. And generally, a party's official nominee for speaker is who ends up with the gavel.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing for an ambitious plan to pass President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda in “one big, beautiful bill.” The proposal includes border security, energy policy, tax reform,