Newly installed Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on Sunday brushed aside questions about his finances — insisting he is a modest man.
Johnson (R-La.) has not reported having bank accounts in his name or listed valuable assets on financial disclosure forms since 2016 — drawing concerns from critics about whether he is being transparent, according to The Daily Beast
“I’m a simple person,” Johnson told “Fox News Sunday.”
“I am a lawyer, but I do constitutional law. And most of my career has been in the non-profit sector,” he added.
“We have four kids — five now — who are very active and I have kids in graduate school, law school [and] bachelor … We have a lot of big expenses, but I can relate to other people,” Johnson continued.
“I think that helps [the GOP] be better leaders because we can relate to every hard-working American family.”
Rank-and-file lawmakers in Congress earn around $174,000 a year, but as speaker, that salary jumps up to $223,500 annually.
Before ascending to the speakership late last month, Johnson was a little-known congressman from Louisiana.
Mike Johnson writes a slim account of his finances to live a simple life. FOX News
Many critics from the left, such as the Democratic National Committee, have raised concerns about past comments Johnson has made opposing gay marriage and calling for restrictions on abortion.
“There’s a whole industry built to tear down, tear down people like me. I understand it comes with the territory and we’re not bothered by it,” Johnson said in response on Sunday. “I have been labeled all kinds of things, but these people don’t know me.
“We will continue to love everyone. We will continue to bless even those who persecute us because that is our worldview and that is how we operate,” he added. “Everybody take a breath, give us a chance and you will see what principled governance looks like.”
The new speaker is staring down the barrel of the looming government shutdown deadline.REUTERS
When asked about the specific claim that he would crack down on contraception and in vitro fertilization, Johnson was baffled by the accusation.
“I do not think so. I’m not sure what they’re talking about,” he told Fox News about IVF. “No, no, of course not. Nope. That is something that blesses many families who have problems with fertility. Of course, that’s a great thing.”
Johnson emphasized that while his pro-life stance is important to him, his focus right now is on grappling with the impending government shutdown crisis.
President Biden has hinted at opposition to the speaker’s plan on spending.AP
Congress has until November 17 to avoid a shutdown.
Johnson previously publicly supported plans for a stopgap continuing resolution to buy time to pass the remaining five of 12 appropriations bills to fully fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year.
“The reason I’m looking a little lethargic this morning Shannon is because I was up late last night, we worked all weekend off and on,” he told “Fox News Sunday” host Shannon Bream.
Last week, Chuck Schumer called Mike Johnson’s plan on aid to Israel a non-starter.AP
“We are committed to bringing 12 bills to the floor.”
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) introduced the CR in the twilight before the September shutdown, then stalwarts overthrew it.
But this time, House Republicans seem to agree more with CR because Johnson inherited the situation and they don’t want to get stuck with the Christmas omnibus bill.
Complicating matters is the Senate, which has so far only passed a “minibus” of three appropriations bills.
The Senate and House are at odds over the top spending figure.
President Biden has also pushed Congress for an additional $106 billion package featuring aid to Ukraine, Israel, the border and the Indo-Pacific region.
Johnson wants Israeli and Ukrainian aid “halved.” He also wants to pair the allocation of Ukraine and the border together.
“We understand that we are a great power that needs to help and ensure that freedom remains, but we need to take care of our own home first. And securing our borders is an important priority for the American people,” he argued.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
