Anglers out of Orange Beach land a potentially record-breaking blue marlin
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources reported that the Orange Beach boat “Best Trait” landed a huge blue marlin that could be a new Gulf of Mexico record. The 55-foot Viking sportfishing vessel is owned by Scott Crump of Jasper and captained by Chris Mowad. After a delay to ensure it was weighed on certified scales, the blue marlin officially weighed 1,145.6 pounds. This is potentially both an Alabama and Gulf of Mexico record. The marlin was 145 inches long, much bigger than the current Alabama state record of 851.9 pounds caught in 2020 by Ginger Myers. The Gulf record was set in 2002 in Mississippi by Barry Carr at 1,054 pounds. The Best Trait fish is over 90 pounds heavier. The marlin must go through the certification process by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Marine Resources Division to become an official record. Scott “Scooter” Anderson, a 32-year-old friend of the family from Houston, was the angler who reeled in the fish. It took two hours. “It still really hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Anderson. Anderson said he has been fishing his entire life. “The trip really wasn’t going our way,” Anderson said. “We jumped off two fish, probably in the 500-pound class. The bite had slowed down that afternoon.” They moved to another oil rig after a pod of dolphins moved into the. “When we got to the rig, Capt. Chris marked a couple of fish in the first 20 minutes we were there, and everything looked right,” Anderson said. “After Chris marked the fish, we deployed a couple of live baits (blackfin tuna). Chris was able to track the bait on the sonar and watched the marlin eat the tuna, and the rest is history.” Marlin are known for their acrobatic jumps. “She came completely out twice,” Anderson said. “The only thing is she was jumping toward the rig. We were afraid she was going to get into the rig.” Mowad maneuvered the boat to keep the marlin out of the rig while Anderson settled into the fighting chair for the long battle. An hour into the fight, the big marlin died and began sinking. Anderson has traveled to the Azores, Cape Verde, and Australia to pursue marlin and is a very experienced fisherman. “We had to tighten down the drag and winch it up,” Anderson said. “I was fighting dead weight. It was definitely tough. I don’t know if that’s unusual for a fish to die that quickly because I’ve never caught one that big.” The combination of Mowad’s boat maneuvering with Anderson’s winching on the Shimano Tiagra 130 reel finally got the big fish to the surface. “When it jumped, I was thinking it was 600 or 700 pounds,” Mowad said. “When we finally saw it behind the boat, I thought, ‘Whoa, that’s a big fish.’” “We were shocked when we pulled it up,” Anderson said. “We had no idea it was that big. We knew she was big but not that big.” The fish was so big the crew had to phone for help to get it in the boat. The boat owner, Crump, was not on the trip. Crump used to be a Toyota dealer in Jasper. “I told my dad and doctor I was going to sell out, retire, and enjoy life,” he said. Since the Viking was christened in May, the boat has caught 74 marlin. “We’ve burned a lot of fuel, but we’ve had a ball,” Crump said. “We’ve put 800 hours on the boat. We keep the boat at Sportsman’s-Harbor Marina. When you keep the boat at their marina, you can buy fuel at their cost.” Crump credits Captain Mowad and mate Addison Gilley for the boat’s successful angling adventures. “Capt. Chris is a solid fisherman,” Crump said. “He doesn’t just run around and throw stuff out. He studies the current, studies the wind, studies the weather, and he’s really good with the sonar on the boat. Our mate, Addison, is as good as they come.” Sport fishing for big marlin is just one of the many outdoor pursuits available in Alabama. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Katie Britt leads Alabama delegation in letter opposing expanded critical habitat designation for endangered Rice’s whale
On Thursday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) announced that she led members of the Alabama Congressional delegation in sending a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Richard Spinrad expressing the delegation’s concerns that a recent proposal by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to create a new and expanded critical habitat designation for the Rice’s whale would negatively impact the Port of Mobile. “The lack of justification for this proposal is glaring, and the inevitable, devastating consequences it would have on Alabama’s economy and the Gulf fishing industry are undeniable,” said Sen. Britt. “We implore Administrator Spinrad to reject this harmful petition that relies on unproven research and would significantly hinder operations at the Port of Mobile, which hardworking Americans rely on for goods, supplies, and materials each and every day.” “We also have significant concerns with the seriously damaging ideas in the Rice’s whale petition, which NMFS has noticed,” Britt and the Alabama delegation wrote. “The petitioners seek to stop vessel transits at night, require complete reporting of vessel plans to NMFS, and create onerous requirements for vessels to employ and utilize visual observers on all vessels. Severely curtailing operations at the Port of Mobile and strangling the commercial and recreational fishing operations off the Alabama coast, these illogical burdens would cause irreparable harm to the Alabama economy – all while current science does not demonstrate they will save any Rice’s whales.” In the letter, the Members urged NOAA not to finalize the critical habitat designation because there is a lack of scientifically supported data to adequately justify this action. They also requested that NOAA reject the proposals. “While protecting endangered species is a laudable goal, we are concerned at the lack of adequate scientific justification for NMFS’ proposed designation of additional critical habitat for the Rice’s whale,” Sen Britt and the other members of the Alabama delegation wrote. “NMFS has shown only limited studies offering indefinite scientific support to draw conclusions about the population and range of the Rice’s whale. Until sound, scientifically supported data is available, this designation should not move forward.” “As a coastal state, Alabama relies heavily on commercial activity in and out of the Gulf of Mexico,” Britt and the Congress members wrote. “In 2021 alone, the Port of Mobile generated more than $85 billion in total economic activity and more than $2 billion in tax revenue. The Port handles more than 55 million tons of commercial goods each year, reaching every state in the nation and providing clothing, tools, construction materials, automobiles, and parts that Americans rely on each and every day. In addition, Alabama’s commercial fishing operations provide more than $291 million in economic value, and recreational fishing adds another $452 million in economic value to the region. Combined, these activities directly employ more than 330,000 people in Alabama.” The proposed ten-knot speed limit and the inability to traverse the 28,000-square-mile habitat area at night to avoid hitting any whales would mean greater transit times in and out of the Port of Mobile. Thus, commercial traffic would merely move to another route and avoid Mobile. Sen. Britt was joined in sending the letter by Congressmen Jerry Carl (R-AL01), Barry Moore (R-AL02), Mike Rogers (R-AL03), Robert Aderholt (R-AL04), Dale Strong (R-AL05), and Gary Palmer (R-AL06). Although U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) was not a signatory, he has already publicly expressed his opposition to the critical habitat designation for the Rice’s whale and questioned the validity of the science behind these proposals. “Designating a Critical Habitat for the Rice’s whale throughout this expansive area will impose undue burdens and restrictions on all vessel traffic, especially in and out of the Port of Mobile in Mobile, AL,” said Sen. Tuberville. “The Port of Mobile covers over 4,000 acres, generates nearly 313,000 jobs, provides approximately $2 billion in state and local tax impacts, and $85 billion in economic value to Alabama as a whole.” Katie Britt was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tommy Tuberville warns munitions stockpiles are being depleted
On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) spoke with the Alabama media about a number of topics of concern. Chief among these are America’s dwindling supplies of weapons and munitions. The United States, for the last 20 months, has been supplying Ukraine with artillery shells, Lancer missiles, Patriot missiles, Stinger missiles, drones, Bradley armored fighting vehicles, vehicles, parts, and other ordinance. The War between Ukraine and Russia is by far the largest war that has been fought in Europe since World War II, and the human costs have been staggering. The quantities of arms and munitions Ukraine has needed to fend off the Russians have also been enormous, and now it is affecting American stockpiles. A reporter asked Sen. Tuberville about the situation. “Well, if you go by what our President, Joe Biden, has said recently, we are running out of weapons,” Sen. Tuberville said. “They won’t give us a count on the weapons and munitions that we are behind on. It is kind of a secret in the White House. We need to build more. It is my understanding, and I have been to some places in Alabama where we build rockets, where we build missiles, where we build munitions. They are struggling to keep up. We are building them as fast as we possibly can.” Hamas’s recent attack on Israel and the war that ignited will also strain U.S. stockpiles and the industrial capacity of American defense contractors. “Israel is killing terrorists who want us dead. I am in full support of Israel,” Tuberville said. “It is not just Ukraine that we are concerned with. Israel and China, with possibly Taiwan. This is a very dangerous time. The most dangerous time in my lifetime on this Earth.” A number of Alabama defense plants are involved in building the weaponry supplying the U.S. armed forces and its allies as well as the Ukrainian armed forces, Taiwan’s defense needs, and now the Israeli Defense Force’s actions in Gaza. “We are very proud that we have people in Alabama that are involved in the munitions construction,” Tuberville said. “They are behind, but they are only behind because we are using them faster than we can build them, so we are fortunate that we have some good people in Alabama that are involved in it.” Tuberville is concerned that this situation could potentially negatively impact the United States. “It affects our security if we can’t protect ourselves with the munitions that we are behind on,” Tuberville said. “Hopefully, we will continue to make munitions. The problem that we have is the manufacturing that was sent overseas starting in the nineties with Bill Clinton and has continued on over the years. President Trump tried to get manufacturing back in this country, but unfortunately, he was held to just one term. Hopefully, we will get him back in office, so we will continue to get manufacturing back.” Tuberville said that the U.S. needs to be self sufficient in order to be able to defend ourselves without having problems with supply chains that stretch around the world. “Manufacturing is not coming back to this country,” Tuberville said. “It is staying in Asia. We need to have an opportunity to defend ourself and be self-responsible. We found out during COVID that we don’t make any drugs, and it really hurt this country. It probably was a big reason that we lost a lot more people than we should have during COVID. We need to build and manufacture things in this country. We need to get people back to work and understand that we need to be self-sufficient.” Tuberville said that the war in Ukraine “has been in a stalemate for the last year.” Tuberville believes the Biden administration should bring that war to a negotiated end rather than encouraging Ukraine to win a military victory at all costs. To that end, Tuberville is opposed to more aid for Ukraine, but he favors the aid for Israel. “America has already sent more than $75 billion to aid Ukraine since the war began, now Joe Biden wants $60 billion more to be sent,” Tuberville said. “It’s not working. The war has been in a stalemate for a year in Ukraine. I have voted against additional funding for Ukraine and will continue to do the same thing.” “I do not support sending another dime to Ukraine.” Tuberville is opposing the Biden administration’s combining of aid for Israel, which he supports, with aid for Ukraine, which he opposes. Tommy Tuberville is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
State offers firearms training
The recent mass shooting event in Lewistown, Maine, and the terrorist attacks on the people of Israel by Hamas are sad reminders that we live in dangerous times in a very dangerous world. Violence can occur at any time and place, often without warning. These tragic events serve as unpleasant reminders that we are all responsible for our own self-defense and must proactively protect ourselves and our families from the threat of violence. While self-defense classes can have a role to play in that, as do alarm systems, guard dogs, fencing, deadbolts, and security cameras, sometimes the only effective defense against a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. The Alabama Legislature understands that all Americans have a Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. The state has put very few barriers in place to keep its citizens from being armed. In fact, the state will even train citizens to use their guns for sport and, if necessary, for self-defense. Alabama has permitless carry and open carry, so there are no barriers to citizens being armed at virtually all times so that they can respond to any threat of attack with deadly force if and when necessary. An armed public, sadly, is perhaps the realistic defense against being a victim in a mass shooter event. Alabamians may carry openly or concealed legally with a concealed carry permit. Be aware that businesses and private property owners have a right to refuse service to gunowners and can lawfully ask them to leave. Other places, such as schools, power plants, courthouses, stadiums, police stations, banks, etc., have rules against carrying firearms. The state of Alabama also provides citizens with 12 public shooting ranges, where citizens and families can work on improving their ability to handle and operate different firearms. Any skill requires hours of practice to become proficient, and practice is necessary to maintain proficiency. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) maintains family-friendly ranges so that Alabamians can practice and improve their firearm skills while providing a controlled environment that the whole family can enjoy. Many Alabamians learned to shoot from their fathers or grandfathers, but those lessons were a long time ago, and they may need a refresher course before they purchase or start carrying a gun. Others may have grown up in a home where there was no firearms training at all, and their schools and churches failed to provide them with that. In those cases, a firearms training course is recommended. ADCNR now offers an introduction to handguns class focusing on firearm safety and marksmanship in a low-stress, family-friendly environment. The Introduction to Handguns class is perfect for those who want to learn more about handguns, target shooting, and firearm safety in a controlled environment. The class is taught by firearms instructors from the Law Enforcement Section of ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Hurst: Advocating for prescription affordability
As Congress gears up for a sprint to the end of the year, I hope Senator Tommy Tuberville and Congressman Dale Strong, will stand strong against overreaching Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) reform bills, some of which are fully supported by Senator Bernie Sanders. As an Alabama State Representative, I believe PBMs are vital for managing drug costs, which saves Americans approximately $1,000 each year and ensures affordable access to medications. The Bernie Sanders-backed effort would impose stringent regulations on PBMs and expand government control within a segment of our private healthcare system, leaving the delicate equilibrium in negotiating drug prices and reimbursement rates between PBMs and pharmaceutical firms at risk. The outcome of such disruptions will inevitably be shouldered by consumers, saddling them with escalated out-of-pocket expenditures and higher drug prices. Additionally, PBMs serve as vital negotiators in healthcare and ensure that a wider range of prescription drugs remains accessible, which is particularly important for individuals with chronic conditions who rely on multiple medications for their well-being. PBMs also utilize a variety of strategies, such as audits and rebates, to ensure the safety and quality of medicines for patients, all while providing cost savings to over 275 million Americans who benefit from their services. It is of utmost importance that we refrain from allowing Senate Democrats to introduce further governmental intervention into an already competitive industry that has proven advantageous for patients. Our collective goal should be to improve healthcare affordability while ensuring patients have access to life-saving medications. I encourage our congressional delegation to oppose PBM reform efforts that amount to unnecessary, unhelpful government interference in the healthcare marketplace. Steve Hurst serves in the Alabama Legislature representing Calhoun and Talladega Counties.
AG Steve Marshall hosts 24th annual law enforcement summit
On Tuesday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) hosted the 24th Annual Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Summit at the Church of the Highlands in Montgomery. The Summit provided continuing education training for law enforcement and attorneys from around the state. This year’s participants had the opportunity to hear from experts involved in the nationally recognized Murdaugh murder case in South Carolina, receive training on the Alabama Criminal Enterprise Prevention Act, and participate in a memorial recognizing fallen officers. “Our men and women in blue sacrifice so much for our safety on a daily basis, and I will never stop working to provide law enforcement with the training, resources, and tools they need to confront the variety of challenges that they face while protecting our communities,” said AG Marshall. “Crime does not know borders, and this annual event is an opportunity for law enforcement professionals from across the state to interact, connect, and potentially collaborate.” This year’s training highlighted the successful legislative session in which Attorney General Marshall worked with the Alabama legislature to fix what he considered to be fatal flaws in our criminal justice system and provide critical tools for our law enforcement. The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Kenneth Kinsey, the Chief Deputy for the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office. Dr. Kinsey discussed the widely covered Murdaugh murder trial and conviction in South Carolina. Between training, Marshall held a memorial for the three fallen officers who lost their lives in the line of duty last year. The fallen officers commemorated were Huntsville Police Officer Garrett Crumby, Alabama Port Authority Police Officer Kimberly Sickafoose, and Montgomery Police Department Officer Carlos Taylor. Officer Crumby died on March 28, 2023, after being shot while responding to a shots fired call. Officer Crumby was a member of the Huntsville Police Department for three years and previously served with the Tuscaloosa Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife, mother, father, and three sisters. Port Officer Sickafoose died on May 11, 2023, after her patrol truck submerged in the Mobile River while on patrol. Officer Sickafoose served with the Alabama Port Authority Police Department for seven years. She had previously served as the police chief of the Silverhill Police Department. She is survived by her daughter and sister. Officer Taylor died on June 30, 2023, after he succumbed to complications from injuries sustained in an on-duty vehicle crash in February 2017 while responding to a call for assistance in a vehicle pursuit. As a consequence of the crash, Officer Taylor suffered a traumatic brain injury that resulted in him being a quadriplegic. He served the Montgomery Police Department for two years. Attorney General Marshall stated, “Law enforcement in Alabama is truly a family, sharing a deep commitment to our communities and to each other. The Summit brings us together for more than just trainings, but for fellowship with one another and to honor and remember our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives.” Marshall was a long-time district attorney before he became attorney general. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Minority Leader Anthony Daniels comments on the Lewiston, Maine mass shooting
On Thursday, Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Madison) issued a statement commenting on the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, on October 25, 2023. “At one time, a mass shooting that claimed 18 lives and left more than a dozen injured would be considered unthinkable,” Daniels said. “Sadly, our continued failure to effectively address the ongoing crisis of gun violence has made it the new normal in communities across our nation. This morning, yet another small-town American community is left devastated. This Thanksgiving, more families will have empty seats at their tables.” “Our hearts go out to the people of Lewiston, Maine. We grieve with all of those who have lost friends, family, and loved ones. We pray for the recovery of all those who have been wounded,” Daniels continued. “And we deeply appreciate the service of our police, law enforcement, and emergency first responders. “For far too long, we have somehow become numb to these almost daily acts of gun violence that have torn apart neighborhoods across our nation,” Daniels continued. “We must come together to find a way forward to end this senseless cycle of gun violence that has shattered so many of our communities. There is no reason that we cannot enact meaningful gun safety legislation – practical measures that are widely supported by voters of both parties, including responsible, law-abiding gun owners.” “This tragedy is a stark reminder of the consequences of our collective failure to act to keep our communities, families, and children safe,” Daniels said. “We can do better. We must end the scourge of gun violence in our nation, including right here in Alabama. We cannot accept this as our “new normal.” Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) commented on X about the mass shooting. “My heart goes out to all those affected by last night’s horrific mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine,” Rep. Sewell said on the X social media platform. “Our thoughts and prayers are important but they are not enough. What we need is ACTION to put an end to this senseless loss of life.” As of press time, the Lewistown shooting suspect – Robert Card – is still at large and considered armed and dangerous. Maine Police are currently acting on several search warrants to capture Card. Meanwhile, the investigation continues at the crime scene. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Report: Alabama taxpayers owe $7,000 to pay off state’s liabilities
By Steve Wilson | The Center Square In a report that scored states on their financial condition, Alabama taxpayers would owe $7,000 each if individually paying off the state’s debts. The state, ranked No. 32 and given a D grade by Truth in Accounting, owes $5.9 billion. The taxpayer burden is between $5,000 and $20,000. Truth in Accounting says the state has $17.2 billion in assets and cash on hand to pay $27 billion in bills. Those liabilities include $11.3 billion in bond debt, $10.7 billion in unfunded pensions and $2.75 billion in unfunded health care costs for state and local retirees. Only Mississippi (33rd place, D grade, taxpayer burden of $7,900) was worse than Alabama among its neighbors. As with many states, Alabama’s pension system is struggling after investment returns in 2022 were down compared to the year before. The three funds’ investments lost an average of 13.67%. A report by the Equable Institute released in May said that three pension systems – Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina – need reforms to avoid taxpayer bailouts or riskier investments. The report said the Retirement System of Alabama, which is the state’s defined benefit pension fund, had a funding ratio of 61.7% and an unfunded liability representing 8.88% of the state’s gross domestic product. Nationally, the five worst states were Hawaii ($23,100 individual taxpayer burden), Massachusetts ($26,700 individual taxpayer burden), Illinois ($41,600 individual taxpayer burden), Connecticut ($50,700 individual taxpayer burden) and New Jersey ($53,600 individual taxpayer burden). The five best were Alaska ($80,000 taxpayer surplus), North Dakota ($47,400 taxpayer surplus), Wyoming ($24,600 taxpayer surplus), Utah ($12,700 taxpayer surplus) and Tennessee ($9,500 taxpayer surplus). Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
New speaker lays out legislative agenda, receives broad support from party
By Casey Harper | The Center Square U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has laid out his vision for the House and legislative goals, but he faces the daunting task of reuniting a divided party in a slim majority and funding the government before the partial shutdown deadline in the middle of November. Before the vote to elect Johnson as speaker on Wednesday, Johnson sent a memo to his fellow Republicans asking for their support and promising an “ambitious” legislative agenda. “In the interest of time, I would propose that we seek consensus to discharge the last two appropriations bills-Labor, HHS, and Education and Commerce, Justice, and Science-from the Appropriations Committee,” Johnson said. “We should also create a new working group to address Member concerns with the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration appropriations bill. As all of this is being completed, if another stopgap measure is needed to extend government funding beyond the November 17 deadline, I would propose a measure that expires on January 15 or April 15 (based on what can obtain Conference consensus), to ensure the Senate cannot jam the House with a Christmas omnibus.” Johnson went on to suggest an immediate schedule for the House floor: Week of October 23: Energy and Water Week of October 30: Legislative Branch, Interior and Environment, THUD Week of November 6: FSGG, CIS Week of November 13: Labor/HHS, Ag In his acceptance speech, Johnson said support for Israel would be a top priority. Johnson, though, has been skeptical of more funding for Ukraine, which could complicate President Joe Biden’s latest request for about $60 billion for the embattled nation. “Our nation’s greatest ally in the Middle East is under attack,” Johnson said in his acceptance speech. “The first bill that I’ll bring to this floor in just a little while will be in support of our dear friend, Israel. And we’re overdue in getting that done.” At the same time, Johnson must deal with a controversial item almost immediately: a motion filed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Minn., for Tlaib’s “antisemitic activity, sympathizing with terrorist organizations” like Hamas and leading an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, an apparent reference to an Oct. 18 protest where anti-Israel protestors took over a House office building. Because of House rules, Johnson must take the motion up for a vote, which is politically charged because of its direct comparison to the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol and the attacks Democrats have levied against Republicans to this day over the incident. Notably, former President Donald Trump faces an indictment and criminal charges for his role in protesting the results of the 2020 election, which critics say led to the Jan. 6 protests. A vote on that censure resolution is expected next week. “Tlaib led a pro-Hamas insurrection into the Capitol complex, has repeatedly displayed her anti-Semitic beliefs, and shown her hatred for Israel,” Green wrote on X. “She must be held accountable and censured.” After his election as speaker, Republicans were quick to praise Johnson, who received unanimous Republican support, after he received the speakership. “House Speaker Mike Johnson is a proven conservative who is honorable, smart, and will do a great job leading the House Republican Conference,” Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., said in a statement. “I’m excited to work hand-in-hand with Speaker Johnson to advance the policies we need to secure our southern border, increase support for Israel, and bring relief to working-class Americans who are struggling to get by in President Joe Biden’s economy.” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., was one of the handful of Republicans who voted to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., which kicked off more than three weeks of scrambling to find a new speaker. She released a statement after Johnson’s vote saying that while the process was difficult, it was “well worth it.” “Eight of us had the audacity to listen to the American people and vote to vacate the former Speaker,” she said.“We told the American people they deserved someone who would be honest and represent their interests, not Washington’s. “While we fully understand we don’t always see eye-to-eye with Mike Johnson, today the American people can finally be proud of their speaker,” she added. Johnson thanked his supporters this week and called for leadership with “bold, decisive action.” “It has been an arduous few weeks and a reminder that the House is as complicated and diverse as the people we represent,” Johnson wrote on X. “The urgency of this moment demands bold, decisive action to restore trust, advance our legislative priorities, and demonstrate good governance. Our House Republican Conference is united, and eager to work. As Speaker, I will ensure the House delivers results and inspires change for the American people. We will restore trust in this body.” Trump, who was actively campaigning for and against different speaker nominees, congratulated Johnson when talking to reporters, saying, “he will be a great speaker of the House.” Johnson promised an array of accomplishments upon taking the speakership, but whether he can succeed in the divided House remains to be seen. “We will advance a comprehensive conservative policy agenda, combat the harmful policies of the Biden Administration, and support our allies abroad,” Johnson said in a statement after winning the speakership. “And we will restore sanity to a government desperately in need of it. Let’s get back to work.” Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
