WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden has issued a statement congratulating Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) on his election as House speaker after a 22-day battle among the House Republican caucus to choose the new House leader.
“Jill and I congratulate Speaker Johnson on his election,” President Biden said. “As I said when this process began, whoever the Speaker is, I will seek to work with them in good faith on behalf of the American people.”
On the first ballot, Mr. Johnson received a unanimous vote from the GOP conference, capping weeks of tumultuous infighting that saw three other speaker nominees rise and fall.
President Biden also urged Congress to support his “historic supplemental funding package” to help Israel and Ukraine and secure the U.S. border.
“We need to move swiftly to address our national security needs and to avoid a shutdown in 22 days,” he said.
Congress has until Nov. 17 to approve a deal to fund the government in order to avoid a shutdown.
“Even though we have real disagreements about important issues, there should be mutual effort to find common ground wherever we can. This is a time for all of us to act responsibly, and to put the good of the American people and the everyday priorities of American families above any partisanship,” President Biden said.
The president hailed his legislative successes as bipartisan efforts on infrastructure, competing with China, gun reform, and veterans’ care.
“I restated my willingness to continue working across the aisle after Republicans won the majority in the House last year,” he said.
While there’s strong bipartisan support for helping Israel and Taiwan, some Republicans are giving a thumbs-down to funding Ukraine. Concerns about corruption and a lack of clear goals in Ukraine make them wary about bundling funds for Israel and Ukraine together.
Some also criticize President Biden for using Israel as a bargaining chip to get additional money for Ukraine.
Republicans voted unanimously in favor of Mr. Johnson, who won 220–209.
President Biden also called Mr. Johnson “to congratulate him on his election,” according to the White House. The president “expressed that he looks forward to working together to find common ground on behalf of the American people.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also applauded Mr. Johnson’s election, touting his pro-business stance.
“As a Member of Congress, Representative Johnson has been a forceful advocate for free markets, limited government, and fiscal responsibility. We are buoyed that these are the principles that will guide him as the new speaker,” Neil Bradley, the chamber’s executive vice president and chief policy officer, said in a statement.
