House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told Newsmax on Thursday night he is confident that when the 119th Congress convenes at noon Friday, he will have enough Republican votes to retain his leadership role.

House Republicans will hold a 219-215 majority when the next Congress convenes, meaning Johnson can afford to lose only one vote and remain speaker, presuming every member is present and voting for a candidate. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has said he will not vote for Johnson, so the speaker can’t afford to have any more defections.

“We’re ready,” Johnson told “Finnerty.” “Look, I think we’re going to get this done. Everybody here in the House Republican Conference understands the necessity of the moment, the urgency of the hour. They know we don’t have time for games and palace intrigue. We’ve got a lot of very important work to do. We have to deliver on the America First agenda.

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