Mike Johnson.Photo:SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty
New House SpeakerMike Johnsoncame into the role fairly easily, considering the tumult that engulfed the Republican Party in the weeks leading up to his election. But that doesn’t mean his speakership will be without controversy.
Already, Democrats have voiced concerns that the little-known Louisiana congressman could be among the most extreme House speakers in recent history.
How Did Johnson Become House Speaker?
Johnson won the House speaker election on Wednesday afternoon in a 220-209vote on party lines. But despite Republican’s unanimous support for his bid, he was far from the party’s first choice for speaker.
After McCarthy’s ouster, Republicans initially nominated Louisiana Rep.Steve Scaliseto backfill his position, but the No. 2 House Republican quickly learned he would not have enough votes to win the formal speaker election on the House floor, and hewithdrew himself from considerationfor the role the following day.
House Republicans unite behind Mike Johnson at the House speaker election on Oct. 25, 2023.Alex Brandon/AP Photo
Alex Brandon/AP Photo
After GOP members failed to unite behind its previous three speaker candidates, the party came together to support Johnson and put an end to the gridlock (which will allow Congress time to prevent a looming government shutdown on Nov. 17 and finally make some decisions on funding packages for Israel and Ukraine).
Prior to skipping the line and becoming the nation’s third most powerful politician, Johnson had maintained a relatively low national profile. But behind the scenes, he’s played an active role in shaping legislation aimed at eroding reproductive and LGBTQ rights.
Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson speaks during a panel discussion at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 28, 2021.Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty
Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty
Johnson Previously Worked as a Lawyer for a Religious Group Behind Many Supreme Court Cases
The Republican previously served as an attorney and spokesperson for the anti-LGBTQ groupAlliance Defending Freedom, a religious organization that aims to further its agenda via the Supreme Court. The organization has played a key role in the passage of landmark cases, including303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, which critics say allows businesses to discriminate against the LGBTQ community, andthe reversalofRoe v. Wadelast year.
“Simply put, sex of any kind outside of the marriage of one man and one woman is ultimately destructive,” he continued, later adding, “Homosexual relationships are inherently unnatural and, the studies clearly show, are ultimately harmful and costly for everyone.” (Johnson didn’t cite any scientific studies in the piece.)
He continued: “If we change marriage for this tiny, modern minority, we will have to do it for every deviant group. Polygamists, polyamorists, pedophiles, and others will be next in line to claim equal protection. They already are.”
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“This is a free country, but we don’t give special protections for every person’s bizarre choices,” he added. In that editorial, he again wrote that homosexuality had been “proven to be destructive to individuals, to families, and to societies at large,” though he did not attempt to offer proof of any of the above.
Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson outside of a House Republican Conference meeting on Oct. 24, 2023.Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty
Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty
Johnson Brought His Religious Views and Defense of Trump to Congress
In 2022, he introduced a bill aiming to ban mention of sexual orientation and gender identity in federally funded institutions. Called the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act, it was equated to Florida’s controversial"Don’t Say Gay" bill.
source: people.com
