C-SPAN’s Washington Journal is one of America’s truly unpredictable political forums, especially when its guests take calls from viewers.
Speaker Mike Johnson is the first speaker in two decades to appear in the Washington Journal and answer questions from viewers.
For those unfamiliar with the show format, there is a Republican phone line, a Democratic line and a line for Independents. The questions alternate between the three lines.
In a country where partisanship has isolated people more than ever, surprises usually don’t happen, but Mike Johnson was faced with a big question when he was asked a question by a Republican woman in Virginia.
The woman said:
Hello, Mr. Johnson. So my question or comments are related to what you said yesterday about not being open to legislation that would ensure military personnel get paid. I’m sure you can hear it in my voice, I’m very shaky.
I want you to hear about my family. I have two medically fragile children. I have a husband who actively serves this country. He suffers from PTSD, as a result of his two tours in Afghanistan. If we see a loss of wages on the 15th, my children won’t get the medications they need to live their lives because we live paycheck to paycheck.
I heard you say earlier that you side with President Trump in everything he says. I just read an article this morning that said he. Is absolutely convinced that legislation must be introduced so that we do not miss out on a salary.
You have the power to do that, and as a Republican, I’m very disappointed in my party, and I’m very disappointed in you because you have the power to recall the House.
Either you did that or you refuse to do that just for show. I implore you to pass this legislation. My children could die. We don’t have the credit because of the medical bills I have to pay regularly. You could stop this, and you could be the one to say the military gets paid.
And I think it’s horrible, and the audacity of someone who makes six figures a year to do this to military families is insane.
Mike Johnson’s response to this woman was heartless, and you can read that below.
