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The grapple for the speaker’s gavel is headed to round two after three Republicans withheld their votes from House Speaker Mike Johnson, potentially pushing Johnson’s speakership to the brink of collapse.

Three Republican lawmakers defected from the party leadership choosing to endorse three alternative candidates. They include Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who voted for Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio; Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, who voted for Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.; and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. who voted for Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.

The cohort of Johnson’s objectors come from Johnson’s rightward flank. Johnson announced earlier today certain commitments in a bid to appeal to undecided House members.

Johnson’s supporters anticipated the potential for a prolonged speakership fight.

“None of us will get exactly what we want,” Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., chair of the House Republican Caucus, declared when she introduced Mike Johnson in his bid to lead the House of Representatives for the 199th Congress.

In her nominating speech, McClain articulated her vision for the next Congress’ agenda. Much of it resounded with the message of President-elect Donald Trump. “We have the opportunity to put America first again,” and “We should be making it easier for people to achieve the American dream.” McClain explicitly highlighted helping veterans of the United States’ armed forces. McClain described Johnson as “an honest broker” who “shows you his true beliefs at face value.” McClain’s speech tied Johnson’s leadership to a message of hope. “[Johnson] knows our brightest days are still ahead of us.” 

“I know Mike will be an integral part of this country’s comeback,” McClain added. 

Johnson attempted to win over some of his conservative holdouts by announcing several concessions before the first ballot on Friday. In a post on X, Johnson promised to appoint a working group to assist in the Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts by thoroughly auditing federal agencies and entities created by Congress. Johnson added that he will “request House committees undertake aggressive authorizations and appropriations reviews, including providing additional resources where needed, to expose irresponsible or illegal practices and hold agencies/individuals accountable that have weaponized government against the American people.”

The commitment swayed some conservative members, such as Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind. “I appreciate @SpeakerJohnson’s public commitment to the American people to deliver on President Trump’s agenda and drain the swamp,” she said in reply to Johnson’s concessions.

For Johnson to maintain the speakership, he’ll need to do more to appease his conservative holdouts. These concessions could come in the form of increased representation on certain House committees or through legislative priority commitments, the latter of which greatly contributed to the downfall of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s speakership.