Speaker Johnson Sounds Alarm Over Border Crisis in First House Floor Speech

‘It is because the border has been deliberately opened wide that we see the terrific horrors that are taking place across our country right now.’

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Dec. 12, 2023. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Nearly 100 days after being unanimously elected House Speaker, Mike Johnson (R-La.) used the occasion of his first speech on the House floor on Jan. 31 to deliver a grim message on the state of the U.S. southern border.

After expressing appreciation and optimism for the future that includes his seven core conservative principles, Mr. Johnson, second-in-line to the presidency, stated,