WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today delivered a speech from the U.S. Senate floor congratulating Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) on becoming the 56th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Only in the United States of America can the son of a Shreveport firefighter and the first college graduate in his family win a seat in Congress and—just a few years later—be elected the 56th Speaker of the House,” said Dr. Cassidy.
“Having a Speaker from Louisiana will help bring Louisiana values, perspective, and priorities to Washington,” continued Dr. Cassidy.
“Mike wishes to govern. He wishes to govern with conservative principles. He wishes to get things done for the people of Louisiana and the country,” added Dr. Cassidy. “He has the temperament, the intelligence, and the integrity to do so as Speaker.”
Click here to watch Cassidy’s full speech. Cassidy’s remarks as prepared for delivery are below:
Madame President,
Only in the United States of America can the son of a Shreveport firefighter and the first college graduate in his family win a seat in Congress and—just a few years later—be elected the 56th Speaker of the House.
Speaker Johnson made history for our country and our home state by becoming the first Speaker ever from Louisiana.
If you are from Shreveport, Bossier, or Northwest Louisiana, you know Mike—he’s the pride of Captain Shreve!
You know he’s a straight shooter.
You know him as being a family man.
Jim McCrery, the man who held Mike’s seat when I was first elected to the House back in 2008, gave me sage advice.
He said: “keep your word, show up, and do your homework.”
That is Mike Johnson to a tee.
And it’s the reason why he was able to unify House Republicans, winning every Republican vote for Speaker for the first time since 2011.
He has the ability to bridge divides that a lot of very capable people were not able to do.
Mike brought together people who disagreed and kept them talking until they found a way forward.
That’s what leaders do.
He is strong in his convictions, but he’s not someone who’s looking to steamroll others.
He is a unifier and has a talent for working with people to find common ground.
We have all seen the push and pull between those who wish to govern and those who are not all that interested in governing.
Mike wishes to govern. He wishes to govern with conservative principles. He wishes to get things done for the people of Louisiana and the country.
And he has the temperament, the intelligence, and the integrity to do so as Speaker.
I am looking forward to working with him to address issues like investing in American energy, securing our southern border, addressing the insurance crisis in Louisiana, and finally doing something about long-term debt being driven by Social Security.
With a conservative Speaker working to secure conservative wins, the country will do well.
We both share a strong sense of duty and deep faith and love for God.
You could see his faith shine through in his speech when he won the vote.
And of course, we share a deep love for our home state, Louisiana. Having a Speaker from Louisiana will help bring Louisiana values, perspective, and priorities to Washington.
Congratulations, Speaker Johnson, and to his wife, Kelly, and their four wonderful children.
I yield back.
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