If Republican Mike Johnson fails to win a swift re-election, certification of President-elect Trump’s victory could be delayed.

The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives is not required to be a member of Congress. The U.S. Constitution does not stipulate that the speaker of the House must be a member of the body, though traditionally a sitting member has always held that position.

House Republican leaders unveiled new rules for the 119th Congress, which includes a provision that will make it harder to oust a speaker but doesn’t remove the threat.

House Republicans introduced their rules package proposal for the 119th Congress, which included a provision making it harder to oust a speaker of the House.

This Friday, January 3, 2025, a new Congress will be seated in the United States — and Republicans will have small majorities in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Senate Republicans have already decided who their leader will be: Sen.