Lesser-known Johnson Wins Speaker Job as Crypto-focused Lawmakers Return to Old Roles

After respective failed attempts, Republicans successful the U.S. House of Representatives dug heavy into their roster to elevate a little salient and little arguable lawmaker, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), arsenic the new Speaker of the House.

The speaker, who drew 3 much than the 217 votes needed to triumph the job, doesn't person a way grounds successful elder enactment oregon immoderate past arsenic a committee chairman. Indeed, he's lone been a typical since 2017. But the well-liked lawmaker seemingly didn't person the built-in slates of enemies burdening erstwhile candidates, specified arsenic crypto-fan Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), who survived lone 4 hours arsenic the apical campaigner connected Tuesday.

Johnson, who had led a subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, doesn't person a record connected crypto issues. He was backed by mainstream Republicans arsenic good arsenic erstwhile President Donald Trump's favored ultra-conservative members aft days of enactment despair implicit the inability to find a campaigner who could triumph capable votes. Johnson is known astir precocious for voting against the impermanent fund extension that kept the U.S. authorities unfastened successful September, and besides for authoring a ineligible brief supporting the Texas bid to flip the 2020 statesmanlike predetermination result.

As Johnson takes the gavel, it frees up Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) to instrumentality to the House Financial Services Committee helium leads, wherever helium tin absorption much attraction connected the 2 crypto bills that haven't yet received level votes. However, much urgent priorities are apt to see the backing of the national government, which expires connected Nov. 17. It's increasing precocious successful the twelvemonth for Congress to tackle important authorities beyond the must-pass backing measures.

Emmer, 1 of the crypto industry's astir salient allies connected Capitol Hill, stays successful his bulk whip occupation – the third-ranking presumption successful House leadership.