Simply someday after the Home GOP deserted Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as its Speaker nominee, a number of lawmakers have formally jumped into the race.
The Home has been with out a Speaker for almost three weeks, after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was outsted from the place earlier this month in a historic vote.
Whereas Home Majority Chief Steve Scalise (R-La.) was the convention’s first nominee, he withdrew a day later, citing considerations he couldn’t garner the 217 votes wanted to be elected. Jordan, the second nominee, additionally failed to achieve a majority — even after three ballots.
Home Republicans will meet once more on Monday night earlier than hopefully saying a brand new nominee on Tuesday.
Sunday at midday is the deadline for candidates to file candidacy.
Home Republican Vice Chairman Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Saturday joined the now-crowded subject of candidates vying for the gavel.
Right here’s what you want to learn about him.
Time within the Louisiana state legislature
Johnson served within the Louisiana Home of Representatives from 2015 to 2017. He was elected twice with out opposition.
Whereas within the Louisiana Home, he was appointed vice chairman of the state Home Judiciary Committee and to the Choose Committee on Management.
He proposed a controversial invoice in 2015, named the Marriage and Conscience Act, that some noticed as discriminatory to the LGBTQ neighborhood, based on The Shreveport Occasions.
Prime Tales from The Hill
Election to Congress
Johnson was elected to Congress in December 2016 and represents Louisiana’s fourth district.
In 2018, he was concerned in GOP efforts to overtake the Endangered Species Act (ESA), introducing laws to take action.
“We can not enable the concern of difficult the established order to stop us from taking a tough take a look at the ineffective insurance policies put in place many years in the past which have failed to fulfill the objectives of the underlying statute,” Johnson mentioned on the time.
Johnson is a member of the Home Judiciary and Armed Providers committees. He additionally serves as chairman of the subcommittee on Structure and Restricted Authorities.
In 2020, Johnson signed an amicus temporary alongside over 100 Home Republicans supporting a Texas lawsuit that aimed to overturn the 2020 election ends in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
“President Trump known as me this morning to let me understand how a lot he appreciates the amicus temporary we’re submitting on behalf of Members of Congress,” Johnson posted on X, the platform previously generally known as Twitter, after the temporary was launched. “Certainly, ‘that is the large one!’”
He’s additionally a member of many caucuses, together with the Congressional Prayer Caucus, the Western Caucus, the Border Caucus, amongst others.
Serving as vice chairman of Republican Convention
Johnson was elected vice chairman of the Republican Convention first in 2021, and once more in 2022.
In an essential vote making an attempt to codify the federal safety of same-sex marriage in July 2022, Johnson famous that his fellow GOP lawmakers had house to decide on how they needed to vote — claiming the Whip workforce had communicated to them that the vote was a “matter of non-public conscience.”
The outcomes marked a noticeable shift in how Republicans have modified of their views on LGBTQ issues lately, with 47 Republicans voting in favor of the invoice.
Regardless of his colleagues’ altering views, Johnson launched a invoice just a few months later making an attempt to bar federal funds from their use within the improvement and internet hosting of occasions that included “sexually-oriented materials” — resembling drag queen story hours — for younger kids.
“This commonsense invoice is simple,” Johnson mentioned. “No federal tax {dollars} ought to go to any federal, state, or native authorities companies, or personal organizations that deliberately expose kids beneath 10 years of age to sexually specific materials.”
Johnson broadcasts run for Speaker
Johnson formally introduced he’s operating for the Speakership in a “Pricey Colleague” letter Saturday to fellow members.
“I’ve been humbled to have so many Members from throughout our Convention attain out to encourage me to hunt the nomination for Speaker,” Johnson mentioned in his letter. “Till yesterday, I had by no means contacted one particular person about this, and I’ve by no means earlier than aspired to the workplace.”
“Nevertheless, after a lot prayer and deliberation, I’m stepping ahead now,” he added.
With simply over a day left for candidates to leap into the race, it’s nonetheless anybody’s sport.
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