RICHMOND, VA – After the GOP House majority elected far-right Republican Congressman Mike Johnson as their new Speaker, DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker issued the following statement:

“After three weeks of embarrassing inaction in Congress, I’m disappointed – but not surprised – to see every member of the House GOP majority give power to Mike Johnson, a lapdog for the most out-of-touch and radical factions within the GOP.

The House GOP majority has endangered the rights and lives of Virginians by elevating a Speaker who has threatened to lock up doctors and ban abortion nationwide, promoted conspiracy theories to try to overturn the 2020 election, and will be a puppet for the most extreme MAGA elements of the Republican Party.

Today’s vote makes Virginia’s legislative elections in less than two weeks even more important. We need strong Democratic majorities in the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate to push back against the growing tide of MAGA sycophants who are rapidly replacing what used to be the Republican Party.”

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