WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the below statement following the election of Mike Johnson as the 56th Speaker of the House. 

“After three weeks in limbo, four failed nominees and an embarrassing display of chaos, I’m glad that my colleagues in the majority have finally done their job and elected a new Speaker of the House. Unfortunately, their selection has spent his time in Congress attacking our democracy and pushing to undermine Social Security, Medicare, reproductive rights and the LGBTQ+ community. I’m concerned that his inexperience and extreme views will be destructive to Congress and to the country. 

“Regardless of my reservations, I’ve pledged to work with anyone – Democrat or Republican – to get things done for my constituents in Central and Southern Illinois and I remain fully committed to bipartisanship. I urge Speaker Johnson to recognize the realities of a divided government and work in good faith with members of both parties to keep our government running for the American people and deliver critical assistance to the southern border and our allies abroad.”

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