House appoints Michael K. Simpson as speaker pro tempore for July 18, 2026

The House of Representatives read a communication on July 18, 2026, appointing Michael K. Simpson to serve as speaker pro tempore for the day, the clerk announced.

The appointment came in a written communication from Speaker Mike Johnson. "I hereby appoint the honorable Michael k Simpson to act as speaker pro tempore on this day," the clerk read aloud, and the communication was signed "Mike Johnson, speaker of the House of Representatives." The clerk read the location and date heading of the communication as "The Speakers' Rooms, Washington DC, 07/18/2026."

The appointment authorizes Simpson to preside over the day’s proceedings in place of the regular presiding officer. The House then moved through routine opening business: the chair announced that the journal of the previous day had been examined and "the journal of the last day's proceedings is approved," the chair declared, indicating approval by unanimous consent rather than a recorded roll-call vote. Chaplain Kibben offered the opening prayer, which the chair had announced prior to the invocation.

Without objection, the chair then announced the House would stand adjourned until noon on Monday, July 20, 2026, for morning hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business. No formal roll-call votes or additional legislative actions were recorded in the session minutes provided.