CONGRESSMAN Mike Johnson has earned the votes for speaker of the House after a three-week stretch where Republicans failed to unite behind a candidate.

Johnson of Louisiana surpassed the necessary 217 votes to earn the House speaker‘s gavel on Wednesday after securing the nomination late Tuesday.

There were 220 votes for Johnson and 209 for Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Speaking to House members after the roll call voting, Johnson began his remarks by saying he looks forward to working with House Minority Leader Jeffries.

“I know we see things from different points of view, but I know in your heart you want to do what’s right – so we’ll find common ground there,” he said.

He also praised former Speaker Kevin McCarthy: “He [McCarthy] is the reason we are in this majority today.”

“Kevin has dedicated over two decades of his life to selfless public service, 16 of those years in this House,” Johnson said of the California lawmaker.

“And you would be hard-pressed to find anybody who loves this institution more or has contributed more to it.

“He is the reason we’re in this majority today. His impact can never be overstated.”

‘ARDUOUS FEW WEEKS’

Minutes after earning the speaker’s gavel, Johnson released a statement acknowledging the difficulties the House has faced over the past few weeks: “It is the honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House.

“Thank you to my colleagues, friends, staff, and family for the unmatched support throughout this process.

“It has been an arduous few weeks, and a reminder that the House is as complicated and diverse as the people we represent.

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“The urgency of this moment demands bold, decisive action to restore trust, advance our legislative priorities, and demonstrate good governance.

“Our House Republican Conference is united, and eager to work.”

Johnson added: “As Speaker, I will ensure the House delivers results and inspires change for the American people.

“We will restore trust in this body. We will advance a comprehensive conservative policy agenda, combat the harmful policies of the Biden Administration, and support allies abroad.

“And we will restore sanity to a government desperately in need of it. Let’s get back to work.”

The House has been without a speaker since October 3 after Republicans ousted McCarthy.

Johnson’s nomination came after Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the party’s third nominee, withdrew his candidacy.

Emmer’s exit came hours after Republicans nominated him for speaker of the House after they objected to the candidacy of Representatives Jim Jordan of Ohio and Steven Scalise of Louisiana.

‘GET IT DONE, FAST!’

Hours before Emmer pulled out of the race, President Donald Trump released a scathing statement calling the Minnesota lawmaker’s nomination a “tragic mistake.”

“I have many wonderful friends wanting to be Speaker of the House, and some are truly great Warriors,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

“The Republican Party cannot take that chance, because that’s not where the America First Voters are. Voting for a Globalist RINO like Tom Emmer would be a tragic mistake!”

Trump backed Johnson, who has only been in Congress since 2017, saying House Republicans should quickly unite behind him.

“I am not going to make an Endorsement in this race, because I COULD NEVER GO AGAINST ANY OF THESE FINE AND VERY TALENTED MEN, all of whom have supported me, in both mind and spirit, from the very beginning of our GREAT 2016 Victory,” Trump wrote.

“In 2024, we will have an even bigger, & more important, WIN!

“My strong SUGGESTION is to go with the leading candidate, Mike Johnson, & GET IT DONE, FAST! LOVE, DJT.”