Equality Caucus Condemns Election of Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House

October 25, 2023
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Congressional Equality Caucus released the following statement condemning House Republicans for electing Congressman Mike Johnson (LA-04) to Speaker of the House of Representatives.

"Today, the House had the opportunity to elect a Speaker of the House who could lead in a bipartisan manner to move America forward. Instead, extreme MAGA Republicans elected a Speaker who has dedicated his career to attacking LGBTQI+ people and pushing an anti-equality agenda," said Equality Caucus Chair Mark Pocan (WI-02). "The House has already taken more than 10 anti-equality votes this Congress. By electing Mike Johnson—a vehement opponent of LGBTQI+ equality—as Speaker, his supporters have signaled they want these attacks against our community to continue."

Congressman Mike Johnson has a demonstrated career in attacking LGBTQI+ people across the country and pushing extreme anti-equality legislation:

  • Before becoming a member of Congress, Johnson worked as a lawyer for Alliance Defending Freedom, a known anti-LGBTQI+ hate group.
  • Rep. Johnson has introduced several anti-LGBTQI+ bills at both the state and federal levels, including a state license to discriminate bill in Louisiana and a federal ‘Don't Say LGBTQ+' bill.
  • He has consistently voted against pro-LGBTQI+ bills, such as the Equality Act and Respect for Marriage Act, and for anti-equality bills, such as the federal trans and intersex sports ban. He is also a cosponsor of several anti-equality bills introduced this Congress, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's federal gender-affirming care ban.
  • He is the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government. As Chair this Congress, he held a hearing in July attacking gender-affirming care.

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Founded in 2008, the mission of the Congressional Equality Caucus is to promote equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, including intersex traits. The Caucus is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBTQI+ people in the U.S. and around the world.