Last Updated on October 25, 2023
The Republican Party is expected to vote on making Louisiana Representative Mike Johnson the next Speaker of the House, following the resignation of Kevin McCarthy. Despite being presented as a conservative option for speaker, Johnson’s campaign finances reveal that he is heavily funded by the military-industrial complex and the pharmaceutical industry.
According to campaign finance reports, Johnson has received donations from major out-of-state war machine contractors such as L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and the Institute of Makers of Explosives. These donations signify his close ties to the military-industrial complex, a sector that has been accused of draining America’s resources and engaging in military interventions around the world.
Furthermore, Johnson has expressed support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian war effort. After Zelensky addressed American legislators during a Joint Session of Congress, Johnson praised the speech as “moving” and vowed that “America stands with Ukraine” in its conflict with Russia. This stance on Ukraine has been a contentious issue, with some labeling him a “Ukraine skeptic” due to mixed voting records.
Journalist Laura Loomer has raised concerns about Johnson’s support for Ukraine, questioning whether he is the right candidate for the next Speaker of the House. Loomer’s tweets exposing Johnson’s Ukraine support highlight the GOP’s potential embrace of a military-industrial complex-backed politician. She also criticizes the party, stating, “The GOP is addicted to losing.”
In addition to his ties to the military-industrial complex, Johnson has also received significant funding from the pharmaceutical industry. One of his sponsors is Morris & Dickson, a Louisiana-based corporation that played a role in distributing COVID vaccines in the state.
With these financial connections to both the military-industrial complex and the pharmaceutical industry, Johnson’s potential speakership raises questions about his independence and allegiance to these sectors. Critics argue that this funding may influence his policy positions and decision-making as Speaker of the House.
The vote on Johnson’s potential speakership is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. National File will provide updates on the outcome of the vote. Stay tuned for the latest developments.
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