Congresswoman Torres Statement on Election of GOP Extremist Mike Johnson as Speaker
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today released the following statement after House Republicans elected Mike Johnson – one of their most extreme, far-right Members – to be the next Speaker of the House:
“Mike Johnson is anti-democratic, anti-family, and anti-American. After 22 days without a Speaker of the House, it is a disgrace that House Republicans chose to elect an extremist as Speaker, rather than pursue a bipartisan path forward for the American people.
“An election-denier like Johnson has no business leading the People’s House. Leading up to the January 6 insurrection, Johnson led over 100 of his colleagues in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. His extremist views do not stop there. Johnson has openly touted his intent to end Social Security and Medicare as we know it, advancing an extremist agenda to cut trillions of dollars from the vital benefits hardworking families have earned and rely on.
“Nonetheless, it is imperative that Congress return to regular order. In 23 days, the federal government is imperiled by the threat of yet another government shutdown. In the coming days, I will fight to ensure programs critical to the Inland Empire are not slashed, including federal investments in affordable housing, childcare, and job creation. Though I remain deeply concerned about the stability of House Republicans’ ability to govern despite their new leadership, I remain hopeful that we can put partisanship and extremism aside and govern.”