For the first time since Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s ousting, all New York Republicans united in supporting Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives, who finally garnered enough support to win the gavel Wednesday, ending 22 days of legislative paralysis in the lower chamber.
U.S. Reps. Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino, Anthony D’Esposito and Mike Lawler, who all voted against Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan during his three bids for the gavel, got behind Johnson in what was the fourth floor vote to replace McCarthy. Rep. Marc Molinaro, who had supported Jordan in his first two votes but dropped it in his third, also backed Johnson.
Johnson received the full support of the House GOP, a stark turnaround in fortune from the candidates who sought to succeed McCarthy and McCarthy himself during his 15-ballot journey to the speakership back in January.
“[Johnson] acknowledges that providing SALT relief is critical for middle-class Americans burdened by double taxation and must be addressed in any tax bill the House considers,” Garbarino said in a statement before the vote.
The issue of SALT — state and local tax deduction that permits taxpayers who itemize when filing federal taxes to deduct certain taxes paid to state and local governments — has been a main point for the New York Republicans, three of them from Long Island, in this speakership fight.
“He understands the priorities of Long Islanders and is committed to working with me to put Long Island First,” LaLota wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.
Lawler said he thinks Johnson “has the temperament to lead.”
“Mike is my friend, a son of a firefighter, a good family man & a smart, well thought leader who loves this Nation,” D’Esposito wrote on X.
Molinaro called Johnson “a humble servant & honestly inspires the best of us & is very interested in each of us serving to the best of our ability & that should make a make America feel good.”
It has now been more than three weeks since former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his role, leaving the chamber unable to conduct legislative business.
All House Democrats voted for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the current House minority leader, also of New York.
2023-10-25 18:01:00
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