Mooney Frustrated Jordan’s Speaker Bid Fell Short, But Backs Johnson
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WHEELING -- The U.S. House is back in operation, and U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney said he is fully supporting new House Speaker Michael Johnson.
Mooney, R-W.Va., was in the Northern Panhandle Friday, and took time to provide insight into how Johnson, R-La., was able to win the gavel and win consensus where former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Rep. Jim Jordan and Majority Whip Tom Emmer had failed.
Mooney explained after four false starts, Republicans were looking for someone to vote for "who was conservative, not controversial and frankly, more low key."
"The reason he is not as controversial is he is more soft-spoken, and a hard-working, kind and very religious man -- which we all can support," Johnson said. "He sort of rose up as the others fought, and he had fought with nobody.
"He offered himself up several times, but never was the top vote-getter. When the others in leadership failed, he was the next guy."
Mooney suspects his colleagues were tiring of the process, and after four tries knew they had to select someone so the House could get back into operation.
Mooney still calls Jordan his hero, and he indicated he really wanted Jordan to take the gavel.
"I was frustrated about Jim Jordan not getting the votes from my colleagues in Congress -- Republicans. I thought that was wrong," Mooney said. "Of course, we had another false start with Tom Emmer, R-Minn.
"But we finally came to agreement. And then we had to get back to work."
Mooney added that two hours after Johnson was selected, the House passed a spending resolution to send financial support to Israel, and provide funding to water and energy projects in the U.S.
The vote for passage was bipartisan, he reported.
"I know constituents worry about the fighting between Republicans and Democrats, and that does exist. But we do agree, too, and I think it's nice to tell them that," Mooney said.
A bill to fund Ukraine's effort against Russia has yet to come before the House, according to Mooney.
"Ukraine has already received a lot of funding, and I hear (President Joe) Biden is looking for more," he said. "It has not come up yet, but I think we will be dealing with that in the coming weeks."
The House needs to finish the remainder of its spending bills, and Mooney noted it was debate on those that forced the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The bills still to be considered deal with such concerns as health care, transportation and science and technology.
Prior to the speaker debacle, the House passed a 45-day stop gap measure to continue funding the government. Many members were opposed to passing a consolidated spending bill, but instead wanted spending in specific areas to be considered separately.
The stop-gap date didn't push forward and the clock kept ticking as Republicans debated the issue.
"We still actually have to fund the government," Mooney said. "We have a looming deadline of Nov. 17. That's when funding stops again.
"Then we're likely going to be back to that same debate that we had before."
Mooney has introduced a bill he wants to see the House consider soon, and he feels strongly it will pass.
House Resolution 3190 would limit the availability of U.S. funds for Mexico until the president informs Congress that Mexico is cooperating with the U.S. in efforts to stop the trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs across the U.S. Mexican border.
While in the Northern Panhandle on Friday, Mooney visited Follansbee and the Wheeling-Nippon Steel operations before coming to Wheeling and touring the National Tire and Wheel facility.
He planned a stop at the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum Saturday.