Newly crowned House Speaker Mike Johnson brushed aside questions about his finances on Sunday, insisting that he is a man of modest means.
Johnson (R-La.) did not report having a bank account in his name or include valuable assets on financial disclosure forms dating back to 2016, prompting consternation among critics over whether he has been transparent, according to The Daily Beast.
“I’m a man of modest means,” Johnson told “Fox News Sunday.”
“I was a lawyer, but I did constitutional law. And most of my career has been in the nonprofit sector,” he added.
“We have four children (five now) who are very active and I have children in graduate school, in law school [and] Bachelor’s… We have a lot of big expenses, but I can relate to everyone else,” Johnson continued.
“I think that helps. [the GOP] “We will be better leaders because we can relate to all working American families.”
Rank-and-file lawmakers in Congress make about $174,000 a year, but as president, that salary will rise to $223,500 a year.
Before ascending to the presidency late last month, Johnson was a little-known congressman from Louisiana.
Mike Johnson attributed the poor reporting on his finances to living a life of modest means.FOX News
Many left-wing critics, such as the Democratic National Committee, have raised alarm over previous comments Johnson made opposing gay marriage and calling for restrictions on abortion.
“There are entire industries built to tear down and tear down people like me. I understand that comes with the territory and we are not concerned,” Johnson said in response on Sunday. “I’ve been labeled all kinds of things, but these people don’t know me.
“We are going to continue loving all people. “We are going to continue to bless even those who persecute us because that is our worldview and that is how we operate,” he added. “Everyone take a breath, give us a chance and you will see what principled governance looks like.”
The new president is about to quickly approach the deadline for a government shutdown.REUTERS
When asked about specific allegations that he would crack down on contraception and in vitro fertilization, Johnson was stumped by the accusations.
“I don’t think so. I’m not sure what they’re talking about,” he told Fox News about IVF. “No, no, of course not. No. That is something that has blessed many families who have fertility problems. Of course, that’s a great thing.”
Johnson emphasized that while his pro-life stance is important to him, his focus right now is dealing with the looming government shutdown crisis.
President Biden has hinted at opposition to the president’s spending plans.AP
Congress has until November 17 to avoid a shutdown.
Johnson has previously publicly backed plans for a stopgap resolution to buy time to pass the remaining five of 12 appropriations bills to fully fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year.
“The reason I look a little haggard this morning, Shannon, is because I was up late last night, we worked over the weekend on a stopgap measure,” he told “Fox News Sunday” host Shannon Bream. .
Last week, Chuck Schumer called Mike Johnson’s plan on aid to Israel a failure.
“We are committed to introducing 12 bills.”
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) introduced a CR in the twilight hours before a September shutdown, and then was overthrown by hardliners.
But this time, House Republicans appear to be more receptive to a CR because Johnson inherited a situation and they don’t want to be hit with an omnibus Christmas bill.
Complicating the situation is the Senate, which so far has only approved a “minibus” of three appropriations bills.
The Senate and House are at odds over gross spending figures.
President Biden has also pressed Congress to approve a supplemental $106 billion package that includes aid to Ukraine, Israel, the border, and the Indo-Pacific region.
Johnson wants aid to Israel and Ukraine to be “bifurcated.” He also wants to unite Ukraine and border arrangements.
“We understand that we are the great superpower that needs to help and ensure that freedom survives, but first we have to take care of our own home. And securing our border is an essential priority for the American people,” he argued.
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