House Democrats are expecting full attendance at Friday’s speaker vote, as lawmakers who have faced recent health issues return to Washington for the start of the new Congress.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi posted a video on social media Thursday from her flight back to Washington, ahead of what will be her first public appearance in the Capitol since she underwent hip replacement surgery after being hospitalized last month for an injury while traveling in Luxembourg.
And Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), who hasn’t voted since having what his office described as a “minor” stroke in May last year, is set to return Friday, his office confirmed.
Democrats are expected to universally oppose Republican Rep. Mike Johnson for speaker, meaning he can lose only one vote and still win the gavel.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has already said he will vote against Johnson, and others like Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) have signaled they’re on the fence. President-elect Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Johnsonand said he’d make calls for him too, though some Republican holdouts appear unmoved by his appeals.
