ASPIRE PAC Statement on Election of Mike Johnson as New Speaker for Dysfunctional Republican Caucus 

WASHINGTON, DC – ASPIRE PAC Chair Grace Meng released the following statement following the Republican caucus electing Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson as the new Speaker of the House. Speaker Johnson’s election follows 22 days of Republican dysfunction as their caucus cycled through over 16 Speaker candidates, four Speaker designates – including one who was the designate for less than 4 and a half hours – and three failed floor votes.

“These past three weeks have shown that Republicans have no agenda other than chaos and dysfunction, and their new Speaker is indicative of how they will continue to promote extreme voices within their party. Speaker Mike Johnson has no interest in making government work for hard-working families and has already demonstrated he has no empathy for the AANHPI community. Speaker Johnson voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which lowered health care premiums and drug prices for millions of Americans, including AANHPI families. He has repeatedly supported and co-sponsored national abortion ban legislation and sought to undermine women’s reproductive rights. And he voted against the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, a dismissal of the hate and violence our community has faced these last several years. The AANHPI community cannot and will not trust Speaker Johnson to stand up for our values.”

Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Rising & Empowering Political Action Committee (ASPIRE PAC) is the political arm of the Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Members of Congress. ASPIRE PAC is committed to supporting candidates of AANHPI descent and incumbents who represent large communities of AANHPI voters. According to the 2020 census, the AANHPI community is the fastest-growing demographic in the country. In addition, in 2020 the AANHPI community increased its voter turnout more than any other community of color. There are currently 21 AANHPI Members of Congress, including two U.S. Senators, and two new Members of Congress – Shri Thanedar (MI-13) and Jill Tokuda (HI-02).

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