Deluzio Statement on Republican Election of Extremist Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, after House Republicans elected Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House without a single Democratic vote, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) released the following statement: 

“After House Republicans put the country through more than three weeks of chaos, Mike Johnson, now Speaker of the House and second in line to the presidency, is the best that they can come up with. A guy who’s voted against nearly every major bipartisan bill and who betrayed this country’s sacred obligation to my fellow veterans. 

“Speaker Johnson voted against the PACT Act—a bill to help my fellow toxic-exposed veterans get the healthcare we need and earned after being sent off to our country’s wars. He voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He voted against the CHIPS and Science Act to revitalize American manufacturing. He voted against House efforts to investigate the January 6th assault on the Capitol. He supports a national abortion ban. And this is just a sampling of his extremism. 

“As we get to know Speaker Mike Johnson, we cannot forget that he tried to throw out my vote and the vote of everyone in Western Pennsylvania by voting against the certification of our 2020 election. He tried to help Donald Trump overthrow the Constitution and the 2020 election in Pennsylvania and across the country. Both Speaker Johnson and the extreme Republican Party that he now leads in Congress threaten the core of American democracy. 

“With a Speaker Johnson, the House of Representatives and our Constitution face an existential crisis. No matter what, I will follow my oath of office and defend our democracy. I won’t give them an inch.” 

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