U.S. House Republicans on Wednesday voted for Louisiana’s Mike Johnson as speaker in a chamber that has been frozen for more than three weeks after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted. In doing so, Johnson becomes the first House speaker from Louisiana.
In a 220-209 party-line vote, all Republicans present backed Johnson. All Democrats present voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York nominated Johnson, 51, who represents the state’s 4th District, saying the conservative congressman “epitomizes what it means to be a leader.”
“Today is the day that House Republicans will humbly look in our hearts and elect Mike Johnson as speaker of the people’s House,” Stefanik said.
Johnson, who does not have a strong bipartisan track record, will be tasked with working with the Democratic-controlled Senate on a quickly approaching Nov.17 government funding deadline, and critical legislation such as the recent nearly $106 billion supplemental request from the Biden administration to fund war efforts by Ukraine and Israel, as well as global aid and U.S border security.
Read the full story from Louisiana Illuminator.
