WASHINGTON – The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has elected Mike Johnson of Louisiana as the new Speaker with Hudson Valley Democrat Pat Ryan saying he is “as extreme and far-right as they come.”
Ryan, who voted with the Democratic minority for Hakeem Jeffries of New York, said Johnson “is one of nearly unmatched extremism.”
Ryan, who served on the Armed Services Committee with Johnson, said he helped mastermind former President Donald Trump’s plot to overturn the 2020 election, supports a nationwide abortion ban, advocates to cut Social Security and Medicare, opposes gay marriage, and voted against healthcare for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
The Democratic lawmaker said Johnson “has spent his life working to strip away rights from the LGBTQ Community.”
Ryan said while he has called for a vote as patriots, instead the majority “chose Donald Trump’s handpicked MAGA extremist lacky over someone who will represent the will of the American people.”
Earlier this month, Ryan voted with far-right Republicans to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his leadership post, initiating the process to elect a new speaker.
The other House member representing the Hudson Valley, Republican Marcus Molinaro, vote for Johnson as the GOP caucus unanimously approved Johnson’s appointment.
