Cheryl Johnson Presides Over the House

Summary

Cheryl Johnson, the first Black woman to serve as Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, is currently presiding over the House during a contentious period as Republicans struggle to elect a speaker.

Abstract

Cheryl Johnson has become a pivotal figure in the 116th Congress as she assumes the role of presiding officer amidst a leadership impasse within the GOP. Sworn in by Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2021, Johnson's tenure as Clerk has unexpectedly placed her at the forefront of a historical moment where she wields the gavel during a protracted speaker election process. The Republicans' inability to decide on a majority speaker due to internal divisions has resulted in a standstill, preventing critical congressional business from proceeding. Johnson's leadership is highlighted by her extensive experience in government and education, including her time at the Smithsonian Institution and her legal education from prestigious universities. Her role is crucial as the House cannot install officers, pass a budget, or enact policies without a speaker, and her position as the first Black woman to hold this role underscores a significant milestone in U.S. political history.

Opinions

The article suggests that Kevin McCarthy's political maneuvering has contributed to the current deadlock in the GOP's speaker election, implying that his strategy of playing both sides has backfired.
There is a clear critique of the GOP's internal conflict and its impact on the functioning of Congress, describing the situation as a "disgrace to the American public and the world."
The author expresses admiration for Cheryl Johnson's qualifications and the historical significance of her role as the first Black woman to preside over the House, framing her as a symbol of progress and resilience.
The text conveys a sense of frustration with the political process, particularly the lengthy and unresolved speaker election, which is seen as an obstacle to the legislative agenda and governance.
The author emphasizes the importance of preparation and opportunity in Johnson's rise to her current position, suggesting that her hard work and timing have led to this moment of historical significance.

Cheryl Johnson Presides Over the House

Historically, a Black woman resides over the 116 Congress.

Photos by Wikimedia Creative Commons/Black Enterprise

Cheryl Johnson times has come to stand before the House and use the gavel for law and order as GOP spar against each other trying to determine who will be the next Majority House Speaker. Cheryl Johnson was sworn in as Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives by Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2021.

Who knew when and if this day would come when Johnson would stand before a group of bickering Republicans who can’t decide on a speaker while McCarthy who desperately wants the nomination more than the breath in his body, bargains hoping to get a few more votes to become the speaker. McCarthy has played a double-sided coin with politics as his constituents looked on along with the world.

When one plays both sides of the fence, one day that same fence will fence its’ subject in. You reap what you sow. If you reap disharmony, disharmony is what you get. Also, when you sell your soul to the devil, you better get enough money to buy yourself back otherwise you will be forever locked in. McCarthy is surrounded by a barbwire fence and at every turn, he is pinched and has to step back before blood is drawn. Day after day with the beginning of the new year, the GOP recesses without nominating a speaker of the house.

Cheryl Johnson stands as the leader of the house for as long as it will take for the Republicans to agree and vote on a majority speaker of the house. In the meantime, Johnson reigns with her gavel day after day.

As Pelosi’s two-decade reign as leader of the Democratic Party and the right-hand woman to the president comes to a close, a vote to select a new House Speaker is adamant as required by the Constitution. Until a leader is selected Congress stands at a standstill, nothing can get done regarding the installation of officers, budget, policies, etc. Usually, on the first day of a new Congress, the speaker position is filled, but not so today. Today, the GOP is in its fourth day, and still, no speaker has gotten the needed 218 votes required to take the helm, making history as Cheryl Johnson becoming the leader of the house. Twenty-one votes went to one candidate, two votes for Donald Trump, and some other nominees received a vote or two.

Until a speaker is chosen, the critical business will be left undone and the adoption of House rules cannot take place and no legislation can be done without a fully functioning committee. Watching the news as the negotiation with the GOP happens in real-time is a disgrace to the American public and the world.

Again, Cheryl Johnson stands in the gap until a speaker is chosen. She is the second person of color to serve as Clerk of the House, making her presence solidified. Until a speaker is chosen, Johnson serves as the House chair, the first Black woman to assume the presiding officer role.

Johnson, a New Orleans native who devoted nearly 20 years in the House followed by 10 years at the Smithsonian Institution before her clerkship. As an alumna of Iowa, Howard, and Harvard University, her credentials are impressive as she served as Director of the Smithsonian’s Office of Government Relations, where she worked with Smithsonian leadership and the Board of Regents to sustain strong relationships with Congress.

Johnson’s connection with Congress and after landing on Capitol Hill, she became the Chief Education and Investigative Counsel for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and served as Director and Counsel for the Committee on House Administration’s Subcommittee on Libraries and Memorials.

Her impressive journey has now taken her to be the House chair until they can vote on a speaker. History has been made as Johnson is the first Black woman to stand at the helm as House chair as the GOP attempts to vote on a speaker.

In conclusion, preparation meets opportunity and there was Johnson waiting in the wings and now the whole country knows her name as she gavels day by day during the procession. Johnson’s journey proved that hard work and being in the right place at the right time pays off. Say her name, Cheryl Johnson, as she reigns and makes history.

For additional reads:

Cheryl Johnson Presides Over the House

How Leadership From A Warped Mold Equal GOP Infighting?

A short story about the GOP struggles for a speaker of the house.

First Black Female Major General Brigadier, Lorna Mahlock

How the Marine Corps made history.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Rises to the Top

How Rep. Hakeem Jeffries became the first Black to lead the Democratic party.