U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson representing Louisiana's 4th Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson representing Louisiana's 4th Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
Speaker Johnson appeared on CBS News' Face the Nation and NBC News' Meet the Press to discuss federal responses to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as election security for 2024.
Regarding the hurricanes, Johnson highlighted that Congress had allocated $20 billion to FEMA before Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and moved through other states, including North Carolina. He stated, "less than 2% of that funding has actually been distributed." He emphasized the need for FEMA to expedite its distribution process to meet immediate needs. Johnson mentioned his visit to North Carolina with Senators Tillis and Budd, noting ongoing rescue efforts.
On small business aid, Johnson assured that Congress would support small business owners affected by the hurricanes. He described the SBA loan program as a bridge for businesses alongside private insurance and disaster relief funding. Johnson reiterated that Congress had already appropriated funds for urgent needs but urged the Biden-Harris administration to distribute them promptly.
Discussing election security, Johnson expressed confidence in upholding constitutional duties: "A free and fair and legal election will be certified." He reassured citizens about the electoral process's integrity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a peaceful transfer of power.
Johnson concluded by acknowledging the significance of the upcoming election: "This is a decisive election... we're going to turn it around."
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