Nebraska congressmen offer support for House speaker
by Staff Writer
House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a tricky fight to retain the gavel on Friday as the Republican leader kicks off the new Congress with a razor-thin majority. Holding only a four-vote edge in the chamber, Johnson likely cannot afford to lose the backing of more than one fellow GOP lawmaker as he seeks a full two-year term as leader of the fractious caucus.
The two lawmakers representing Northeast and North Central Nebraska both expressed support for Johnson on Thursday.
U.S. Rep. Mike Flood
“Friday’s vote to reelect Speaker Johnson is more than just about who will lead the House — it will determine how quickly Congress moves to enact President Trump’s agenda and how much time we have to do so. Republicans have a limited majority in this Congress, which means we must unite our diverse caucus on virtually every key vote to defeat Democrats. Failure to reelect Speaker Johnson would throw the House into chaos and hinder our ability to enact President Trump’s priorities. Another battle over who should be speaker, which could last weeks or even longer, means critical legislation like finishing the border wall and cutting taxes would languish. Like President Trump, I fully support Speaker Johnson, who will help deliver the president’s agenda, and I encourage my colleagues to unite behind him so we can move forward together for the good of our nation.”
U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith
"Mike Johnson is the right choice to lead the House. At the start of a new year and a new Congress, we have an opportunity to deliver the commonsense policies needed to get our country back on track. In the House, we must unite and capitalize on this historic momentum to secure our borders, ensure the safety of the American people, strengthen families, kick-start economic growth, and expeditiously implement the priorities Americans elected President Trump and congressional Republicans to lead on. Mike Johnson has strong relationships with the president-elect and across the Republican Conference. He is a problem solver, a good friend, and he has my full support for Speaker in the 119th Congress."
