U.S. congressmen who represent the Hudson Valley split along party lines when voting for new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, as did the rest of the New York Congressional Delegation. Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, was promoted for the position of speaker by Donald Trump. Johnson had supported Trump’s attempt to stage a coup and remain in the White House after losing the 2020 Presidential Election.
Republican Mike Lawler, whose 17th Congressional District includes all or parts of Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess, voted in favor of Johnson after having refused to vote three times for far-right Republican Jim Jordan.
“For over three weeks, we’ve been without a speaker. It is imperative that we get back to governing,” Lawler said. He described Johnson as being “hardworking and smart” and Lawler expressed confidence that despite “any differences we may have on policy, he is capable of unifying our conference” and “leading the House forward.”
Republican Marc Molinaro, whose 19th Congressional District includes Sullivan and part of Ulster County in addition to counties north of the Hudson Valley, also voted for Johnson. Molinaro had supported Jordan in his first two votes but did not vote for Jordan the third time Jordan took his candidacy to the House floor. Molinaro said, “Glad to say with Mike Johnson, we will be getting back to governing, standing with Israel, securing our order and fighting the high cost of living.”
Hudson Valley Democrat Pat Ryan serves the 18th Congressional District that includes all of Orange County and most of Dutchess and Ulster Counties. Ryan characterized Johnson as being “as extreme and far-right as they come.” Ryan said that besides supporting Trump’s attempted coup, Johnson supports a nationwide abortion ban, wants to cut Social Security and Medicare, opposes gay marriage, and voted against health care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
