FILE -Syndication: Shreveport Times/The Times
WASHINGTON DC- The new Republican Speaker of the House is promising to find common ground with Democrats. Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson took the gavel Wednesday and added he’ll hit the ground running.
Johnson got enough votes to win the Speakership following failed attempts from three of his fellow Republicans. Johnson acknowledged the process was a “grueling battle.” He said he’s humbled, and added he will immediately address pressing issues. Those issues include passing legislation to fund the government before mid-November and providing aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Johnson, 51, was elected to Congress in 2016 and has avoided making political enemies in the House. Johnson is a lawyer specializing in constitutional issues, he had rallied Republicans around Trump’s legal effort to overturn the 2020 election results.