Claudia Grisales

is considered a moderating voice in the party and has been on the other side of debates from President-elect Donald Trump numerous times. However, Thune endorsed Trump late in the presidential race last year and has become a growing ally to the incoming president. Claudia Grisales, NPR News.

Well, potentially more chaos. House Republicans are taking control of the lower chamber for this second Congress in a row. And as we saw, the last couple of years brought us some good clues on how today could play out. And as you mentioned, job one for the House today is to elect a new speaker. And there will virtually be no House business until that gets done.

Well, potentially more chaos. House Republicans are taking control of the lower chamber for this second Congress in a row. And as we saw, the last couple of years brought us some good clues on how today could play out. And as you mentioned, job one for the House today is to elect a new speaker. And there will virtually be no House business until that gets done.

Well, potentially more chaos. House Republicans are taking control of the lower chamber for this second Congress in a row. And as we saw, the last couple of years brought us some good clues on how today could play out. And as you mentioned, job one for the House today is to elect a new speaker. And there will virtually be no House business until that gets done.

No new members sworn in, no legislative business. And we already heard from House Republicans at the end of last year who said they were not so sure they would reelect Johnson to the speakership, even as he recently earned Trump's endorsement. And as you mentioned, it's key, but it may not be enough. But why not? I mean, this is an incoming Republican White House with Trump at the helm.

No new members sworn in, no legislative business. And we already heard from House Republicans at the end of last year who said they were not so sure they would reelect Johnson to the speakership, even as he recently earned Trump's endorsement. And as you mentioned, it's key, but it may not be enough. But why not? I mean, this is an incoming Republican White House with Trump at the helm.

No new members sworn in, no legislative business. And we already heard from House Republicans at the end of last year who said they were not so sure they would reelect Johnson to the speakership, even as he recently earned Trump's endorsement. And as you mentioned, it's key, but it may not be enough. But why not? I mean, this is an incoming Republican White House with Trump at the helm.

Well, first of all, Johnson is coming into this new House with even tighter margins than we saw in the last couple of years when former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, for example, ran for his position. He could only lose two years ago a handful of Republicans to get that gavel in the 2023 election.

Well, first of all, Johnson is coming into this new House with even tighter margins than we saw in the last couple of years when former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, for example, ran for his position. He could only lose two years ago a handful of Republicans to get that gavel in the 2023 election.

Well, first of all, Johnson is coming into this new House with even tighter margins than we saw in the last couple of years when former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, for example, ran for his position. He could only lose two years ago a handful of Republicans to get that gavel in the 2023 election.

And he still had to go 15 rounds of ballots, days of intraparty fighting on the floor before he won that gavel.

And he still had to go 15 rounds of ballots, days of intraparty fighting on the floor before he won that gavel.

And he still had to go 15 rounds of ballots, days of intraparty fighting on the floor before he won that gavel.

Well, Johnson will need a simple majority of a 435-member House, so 218 votes. And Republicans just have 219 members, so not a lot of breathing room at all. particularly since Democrats are not expected to help Johnson or any other Republican get over the line. So we already know of one GOP member who says he will vote no on Johnson, and it's possible others could follow.

Well, Johnson will need a simple majority of a 435-member House, so 218 votes. And Republicans just have 219 members, so not a lot of breathing room at all. particularly since Democrats are not expected to help Johnson or any other Republican get over the line. So we already know of one GOP member who says he will vote no on Johnson, and it's possible others could follow.

Well, Johnson will need a simple majority of a 435-member House, so 218 votes. And Republicans just have 219 members, so not a lot of breathing room at all. particularly since Democrats are not expected to help Johnson or any other Republican get over the line. So we already know of one GOP member who says he will vote no on Johnson, and it's possible others could follow.

Well, we know Kentucky Republican Thomas Massey has been pretty vocal. He will vote against Johnson. So that could open the floodgates for other House Republicans who want to vote no on Johnson as well.

Well, we know Kentucky Republican Thomas Massey has been pretty vocal. He will vote against Johnson. So that could open the floodgates for other House Republicans who want to vote no on Johnson as well.

Well, we know Kentucky Republican Thomas Massey has been pretty vocal. He will vote against Johnson. So that could open the floodgates for other House Republicans who want to vote no on Johnson as well.

Some Republicans will use this time for attention in the media, or other potential spoilers may look at this as an opportunity to make a favorable deal with Johnson before they can get flipped to a yes. So they will hold a lot of leverage in this moment.