But Boehner begins the new session of Congress more vulnerable than he has been at any other point in his speakership.

Some GOP sources on the Hill had even speculated that there could be be a rare second ballot for Speaker, in the event that 16 conservative Republicans vote against Boehner.

In the end, only nine Republicans defected from Boehner. Out of the 426 votes cast, 220 Republicans voted to keep re-elect the Speaker, putting him over the 217-vote threshold needed to win.