On Thursday, Speaker Johnson welcomed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to Capitol Hill to discuss how the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) can reduce the size and scope of the federal government. Speaker Johnson gathered House and Senate Republicans for a brainstorming session with Musk and Ramaswamy to plan and work with the incoming Trump Administration to make the government function more efficiently. Speaker Johnson briefly addressed the press. Watch here.

This week, the House of Representatives – led by Speaker Johnson – filed an amicus brief supporting Second Amendment rights and the petitioners in the United States Supreme Court case, Smith & Wesson Inc., et al. v. Mexico. In the brief, the House argues that the Mexican government is attempting an end run around Congress by asking the judiciary to impose far-reaching regulations on the firearms industry that Congress has declined to adopt. Such injunctive relief would usurp Congress’ authority to regulate firearms, and the Mexican government’s lawsuit is precisely the type of suit that Congress sought to prohibit when it passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA).

From the brief: “[I]f affirmed, the decision below would short-circuit the legislative process and usurp Congressional authority. The Constitution assigns firearms-related policy decisions to the American people’s elected representatives, subject to the constraints of the Second Amendment. The Mexican government’s radical request for injunctive relief would instead allow federal courts to make those important decisions. Such a result would turn our constitutional structure on its head, and the Court should not permit it.” Read more here.

After two years of thorough investigation, this week, the House Coronavirus Select Subcommittee released a careful evaluation of our nation's poor response to the COVID-19 pandemic. House Republicans were able to expose serious failures in leadership, corruption within our health system, and detrimental consequences, among others. With this landmark report, House Republicans are taking a step in the right direction to rebuild trust and guarantee America is better prepared for future events. Click here for more on the report.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

On Tuesday, Speaker Johnson hosted the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the US Capitol. This year's tree was from Alaska's Tongass National Forest, and Speaker Johnson was joined by fourth grader, Alaska-native Rose Byrne, winner of the Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest, to light the People's Tree. Click the image below to watch Speaker Johnson's remarks and message of hope this Advent season.

On Wednesday, Speaker Johnson met with Chloe Cole and Matt Walsh to discuss how Congress can better protect children against the left’s radical gender ideology. Across the street from the Capitol, the Supreme Court yesterday heard oral arguments in United States v. Skrmetti, a landmark case surrounding Tennessee's ban on minors receiving radical “gender affirming care,” such as puberty blockers and hormone therapies. Matt and Chloe are leading the charge against radical gender ideology, and Speaker Johnson looks forward to working with them to win this fight.

IN THE MEDIA

This week, Speaker Johnson sat for a number of interviews to discuss House Republicans' agenda for President Trump's First 100 Days, the Department of Government Efficiency, and the US v. Skrmetti case, among other topics among many other topics. Additionally, Riley Gaines, an advocate for preserving women's-only sports, wrote an op-ed praising Speaker Johnson's efforts in protecting women's-only spaces in the US Capitol. See below for a collection of these conversations. Click the images to watch, and check our YouTube channel for more.

The Story with Martha MacCallum

The Mike Gallagher Show with Scott Jennings

Riley Gaines Op-Ed: Speaker Johnson Fights Back Against Radical Gender Ideology

LAGNIAPPE

On Wednesday, members of our staff joined various local leaders, Governor Landry, and Meta executives in Richland Parish to announce Meta's $10 billion AI data center. Meta's development in North Louisiana will create hundreds of well-paying jobs, expand opportunity in rural areas, and advance our state as a top destination for innovation, technology, and growth. Click the image for more details.

Speaker Johnson is honored and proud to represent the great people of Louisiana's 4th Congressional District. He is always grateful for your support. Never hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for reading,

Notes from the Office of Speaker Mike Johnson