Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

October 25, 2023

Jill and I congratulate Speaker Johnson on his election. As I said when this process began, whoever the Speaker is, I will seek to work with them in good faith on behalf of the American people.

That's a principle I have always held to, and that I've acted on: delivering major bipartisan legislation on infrastructure, outcompeting China, gun reform, and veterans care.

I restated my willingness to continue working across the aisle after Republicans won the majority in the House last year. By the same token, the American people have made clear that they expect House Republicans to work with me and with Senate Democrats to govern across the aisle: to protect our urgent national security interests and grow our economy for the middle class.

While House Republicans spent the last 22 days determining who would lead their conference, I have worked on those pressing issues, proposing a historic supplemental funding package that advances our bipartisan national security interests in Israel and Ukraine, secures our border, and invests in the American people. These priorities have been endorsed by leaders in both parties.

We need to move swiftly to address our national security needs and to avoid a shutdown in 22 days.

Even though we have real disagreements about important issues, there should be mutual effort to find common ground wherever we can. This is a time for all of us to act responsibly, and to put the good of the American people and the everyday priorities of American families above any partisanship.

Categories: Statements by the President : J. Michael Johnson, election as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Names: Biden, Jill T.; Johnson, J. Michael.

Subjects: Bipartisanship; Israel, U.S. assistance; Speaker of the House of Representatives; Ukraine, U.S. assistance.

DCPD Number: DCPD202300934.

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