Speaker Mike Johnson appoints Robert J. Whitman as speaker pro tempore

Speaker Mike Johnson announced on May 7, 2026, that he had appointed Robert J. Whitman to serve as speaker pro tempore for the day. A communication from the Speaker's office, signed by Mike Johnson, stated: "I hereby appoint the honorable Robert J. Whitman to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day."

The appointment was delivered as a formal communication to the House and required no recorded floor vote in the excerpted proceedings. The Chair then recognized Chaplain Kibben, who offered the opening prayer for National Day of Prayer, invoking themes of healing, thanksgiving and relief for those in need. In the prayer, Chaplain Kibben said, "Our gratitude is too great for words," and asked for comfort and provision for those "in our communities, in our country and in our world."

Pursuant to Clause 13 of Rule One, the Chair announced the previous day's journal was approved and led members in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chair concluded the brief session by announcing that the House would stand adjourned "until 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May the 11th, 2026." No legislative debate, motions, or recorded votes are included in this excerpt.