On Monday, January 6th, members of the House and Senate convened in a joint session of Congress to count and certify electoral college votes submitted by all 50 U.S. states. Congress finalized the count of 312-226 and declared Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Beginning on January 20th, Speaker Johnson and his Republican colleagues will waste no time in working with President Trump to deliver the America First agenda.

House Republicans promised the American people a secure border and delivered on one step of that promise by passing the Laken Riley Act on Tuesday. Laken Riley, a nursing student at Augusta University, was brutally murdered this past February by Jose Ibarra, an illegal alien who had previously been cited for shoplifting in the area. The Laken Riley Act, which 159 Democrats voted against, will ensure illegal aliens who commit violent crimes are deported. Biden and Democrats' failed leadership to secure our border has made Americans victims of violent crime. Speaker Johnson and his Republican colleagues will continue to reverse Biden's destructive immigration policies and put American safety first.

On a bipartisan basis, the House passed the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which will impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) or any foreign actor who supports efforts to criminalize protected persons of the United States and its allies. As Israel fights for its mere existence against the Hamas terrorist regime, the ICC continues to pursue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant. The House of Representatives will never tolerate such actions, and America will unequivocally support Israel.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

On Tuesday, Speaker Johnson joined the Carter family and leaders in the U.S. Capitol to honor the life and legacy of our 39th President, Jimmy Carter. During the lying in state ceremony, Speaker Johnson delivered remarks recognizing President Carter as an American patriot, humble public servant, and fighter until the end. President Carter's contributions to our nation in uniform and office will be remembered dearly. Click the photo below to watch Speaker Johnson's remarks.

This week, Speaker Johnson and his colleagues successfully thwarted an effort to use taxpayer funds to pay for sex change surgeries. Because of the Department of Justice's lack of action to protect young adults, the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Johnson, filed a motion to intervene in Doe v. Austin, a U.S. District Court case which would support federal dollars going to transgender procedures and treatments. After the House's action, the case was successfully dropped and radical gender ideology will not be funded by taxpayers. Click here for more.

IN THE MEDIA

This week, Speaker Johnson joined FOX News and Newsmax to discuss certifying President Trump's victory, among other topics. See below for a collection of these conversations. Click the images to watch, and check our YouTube channel for more.

Sunday Morning Futures on FOX

The Record with Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax

LAGNIAPPE

This week, Speaker Johnson announced the winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge (CAC). Maya Trutschl, a Caddo Magnet High School senior, was chosen by a panel of four judges as this year's first place winner. Her app, “Cal Capture,” streamlines the process of converting dates on paper documents into calendar entries. "Cal Capture" will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building, and Maya's work will represent Louisiana's Fourth Congressional District well. Click the photo below for more.

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