A widespread GOP revolt isn't needed to block Johnson from remaining as speaker. Republicans' razor-thin majority in the House leaves him room for only a single deflection, and one Republican has already said he's a hard no on the Louisiana Republican. This means he needs the support of every other Republican member of Congress.

But during an extended delay in which the House clerk held open the vote — and during which Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer conceded that he expected a second ballot — GOP leadership scrambled to flip two of their holdouts. They ultimately succeeded by convincing Norman and Self to vote for Johnson.