October 25, 2023
As Speaker, I will ensure the House delivers results and inspires change for the American people.
United States Representative Mike Johnson after being elected 220-209 as the 56th speaker of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Why It Matters: The House can now return to official business, three weeks after the unprecedented ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). With Johnson (51) elected as House speaker, a role the National Constitution Center describes as “one of the most powerful jobs in Washington,” lawmakers can now return to work (the speaker is responsible for “the order of all institutional business on the House floor,“ among other things).
Some of the priorities of the legislative branch include passing legislation to fund the government by November 17 to avoid a potential government shutdown, though “More immediately,” lawmakers must consider President Biden’s request to Congress for “$105 billion in aid — to help Israel and Ukraine amid their wars and to shore up the U.S. border with Mexico.” (The Associated Press).
In a press conference after being elected, Johnson said, “We went through a lot to get here, but we are ready to govern. And that will begin right away,” noting that representatives would shortly go back to the House floor to pass a resolution in support of Israel.
More Details: Johnson has served in the House of Representatives since 2016 and has almost 20 years of experience as a lawyer “litigating high profile constitutional law cases,” his official House website explains. Before becoming a member of the U.S. House, Johnson also served in the Louisiana Legislature for nearly three years. Learn more about Johnson HERE.
Speaker Johnson’s full statement on X (formerly Twitter) after being elected to the post:
Mike Johnson, a staunch conservative from Louisiana, is elected House speaker with broad GOP support (The Associated Press)
by Leah Grainery, based in Texas
