Republican Mike Johnson has secured enough votes to become House speaker as ballot draws to a close

By LISA MASCARO, STEPHEN GROVES, FARNOUSH AMIRI and KEVIN FREKING
Associated Press

Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana has enough votes to be elected House speaker.

As the roll call was underway Wednesday, Republicans were eager to put Johnson on track to win the gavel.

Johnson picked up an important nod of support ahead of the vote from Donald Trump. Johnson is the fourth candidate Republicans have nominated to replace Kevin McCarthy.

The Republican majority has been without a speaker for three weeks and is desperate to end the chaos and get back to work.

Johnson will need almost all Republicans to win the gavel in a floor vote. Ahead of voting he said he felt “very good.”