Mike Johnson Archives - TPR: The Public's Radio

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., meets with reporters as Republicans struggle with a plan to address growing health care costs, at the Capitol on Dec. 16, 2025.

NPR

A once rare legislative tool is causing headaches for Mike Johnson

by Sam Gringlas January 5, 2026January 7, 2026

The discharge petition is a way to force votes by sidestepping the speaker. For decades it was mostly forgotten, but has been brought back for bills on the Epstein files and to extend ACA subsidies.

Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., speaks during Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' "Arizona First" rally at El Rio Center on Nov. 1, 2025 in Tucson, Ariz. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson refuses to swear in Grijalva after she won her special election in September. Hobbs will face the winner of the Republican primary featuring U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson and U.S. Rep. David Schweikert. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

NPR

Adelita Grijalva is set to be sworn in, teeing up a potential vote on Epstein files

by Claudia Grisales November 12, 2025November 12, 2025

The Arizona Democrat won her race in September, but Speaker Mike Johnson has waited to swear her in until today. Grijalva has vowed to be the decisive signature in a bid to release the Epstein files.

Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., speaks as she is surrounded by supporters who have urged that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., swear her in, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

NPR

Adelita Grijalva can force a vote on the Epstein files, but she’s still not sworn in

by Claudia Grisales October 16, 2025October 16, 2025

The Arizona Democrat would be the decisive signature on a petition to force a vote on releasing the records. But Speaker Mike Johnson says he will not swear her in until after the shutdown is over.

From left, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. and Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., have been leading a push in the House to allow proxy voting for up to 12 weeks for House members who have recently given birth or whose spouse has.

NPR

2 mothers bring the House to a halt over push to allow proxy voting for new parents

by Deirdre Walsh April 1, 2025April 1, 2025

GOP leaders tried to block a bipartisan measure to allow proxy voting, but nine Republicans joined with Democrats to overcome it.

NPR

What a big Republican win Tuesday could mean for Obamacare

by Dan Gorenstein November 3, 2024November 3, 2024

With the Affordable Care Act once again under fire from Republicans, a leading health care economist explains what a Republican sweep might mean for the health coverage of 45 million Americans.

NPR

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene files motion to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson

by Deirdre Walsh March 22, 2024July 9, 2024

It’s the second time in less than a year that House Republicans have pushed to remove their elected leader.

NPR

Congressional leaders hope to avoid a shutdown. But Ukraine aid is still unclear

by Tamara Keith February 27, 2024July 9, 2024

After tense talks in the Oval Office, congressional leaders said they were hopeful they could reach a deal to avert a partial government shutdown on Friday. But they appeared divided on Ukraine aid.

NPR

Harris says ‘there is only Plan A’ for Ukraine aid. Zelenskyy says he’s counting on it

by Asma Khalid February 17, 2024July 9, 2024

Ukraine aid is stalled in the U.S. House of Representatives. Vice President Harris said there’s no other option for helping Ukraine push back against Russia’s invasion.