Lawmakers React to Speaker Mike Johnson's Election

Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) has been elected the Speaker of the House, and legislators from around the country have shared their reactions and their endorsements.

This includes Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) who called Rep. Johnson a “far-right puppet.”

“The next GOP Speaker candidate is an election denier, Social Security enemy, who would criminalize abortion & take FL's #DontSayGay law national. Rep. Mike Johnson is a far-right puppet. He is not a serious leader; he just got seriously lucky. He's Jim Jordan in a suit jacket,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.

Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA) called the Republican Conference’s selection “pathetic.”

“Republican Speaker Designee Mike Johnson voted against the PACT Act—a law that provides care to my fellow veterans who were exposed to burn pits in places like Iraq & Afghanistan. That vote is a betrayal to every veteran, and this is who Republicans want to lead them? Pathetic,” said Rep. Deluzio.

However, Republicans appear to be united as members from both flanks of the party have provided their support for Rep. Johnson.

Freshman Congressman Andy Ogles (R-TN), a Freedom Caucus member, said, “America, Freedom and the Constitution just won tonight.”

“There is a new sheriff... Speaker in town and his name is Rep. Mike Johnson. America, Freedom and the Constitution just won tonight!!!” said Rep. Ogles.

Moreover, a member of the Conference who was originally “OK. Only Kevin [McCarthy]” said that “Mike is the conservative leader who can unite us all as Republicans.”

“I’ll be voting for Speaker Mike Johnson today. Mike is the conservative leader who can unite us all as Republicans. As the 1st career firefighter paramedic in Congress, I look forward to working with Mike, the son of a firefighter, to prioritize our first responders!” said Rep. Gimenez.

Representative and former Speaker candidate Jodey Arrington (R-TX) said “Mike doesn’t have a self-promoting bone in his body, but that brother has a fire shut up in those bones to fight for this country.”

“He knows what’s at stake if we don’t rise as a Conference to meet this pivotal moment in history and secure the blessings of liberty for the next generation,” stated Rep. Arrington.

Johnson will serve as the 56^th Speaker of the House.