Michiana representatives congratulate new Speaker of the House, discuss next steps

Indiana and Michigan congressmen supported the election of new House Speaker Mike Johnson.

On Wednesday, October 25, all 220 Republicans voted Mike Johnson into the role of House Speaker, surpassing the 217 votes needed to win. 

Johnson was the Republican's fourth pick for the position, following Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan and Tom Emmer. 

In a press release from Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03), called Johnson "one of the most trustworthy men in Washington," hoping that after three weeks without a speaker, Johnson will unite the House.

Rep. Banks can speak to Johnson's character as someone of strong integrity as Banks knew Johnson before they both came to congress in 2017.

They both were elected in the same congress, both chaired the Republican Study Committee, and "share the same conservative values".

"I know he wants what I want," Banks told ABC57 News in an interview following Johnson's selection. "To address the $2 trillion annual deficit and a $33 trillion national debt that my three daughters and Mike Johnson's kids are going to suffer from if we don't do something about it."

Indiana Congressman Rudy Yakym and Michigan Congressman Tim Walberg also sent statements congratulating Mike Johnson as the 56th Speaker of the House. 

Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) called Johnson a "principled and proven conservative leader," in a press release. "Mike is respected across the board, and he is the right man at the right time to unite our Conference and advance our Republican vision for America."

On Yakym's agenda is securing the southern border, supporting Israel, finishing appropriation bills, lowering inflation and restoring fiscal responsibility.

In a statement, Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05) passed the baton to Speaker Johnson's leadership to continue building the "strongest boarder security ever," a comprehensive energy reform package and other critical work.