Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson, Political Career Prior to Becoming Speaker of the House

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson Bio

Profile of Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District – Congressman Mike Johnson

Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District is currently represented by Congressman Mike Johnson, a Republican who has served since 2017 and is the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. This comprehensive profile aims to inform voters about his background, legislative activities, policy positions, and the demographics of his district.

Career Path to Congress

Early Life and Education:

  • Born on January 30, 1972, in Shreveport, Louisiana.
  • Graduated from Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport.
  • Earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1995.
  • Obtained a Juris Doctor from LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1998.

Legal Career:

  • Practiced constitutional law for 20 years, specializing in cases related to religious freedom and free speech.
  • Served as senior attorney and national media spokesman for the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal advocacy organization.

Political Career:

  • Louisiana House of Representatives: Elected in 2015 to represent the 8th District, serving until 2017.
  • U.S. House of Representatives: Elected in 2016 to represent Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District.

House Leadership:

  • Served as Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference.
  • Chaired the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of conservatives in Congress.
  • Speaker of the House: Elected as the 56th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on October 25, 2023.

For more information, visit mikejohnson.house.gov.

Sponsored Legislation

As of the 119th Congress (2025-2026), Congressman Johnson has sponsored 66 pieces of legislation. Notable sponsored bills include:

  • H.R. 8362 – Unborn Child Support Act (Introduced July 13, 2022): This bill allows courts to award child support payments for unborn children, aimed at providing financial support during pregnancy.
  • H.R. 7648 – Prohibition of Federal Funds for a Disinformation Governance Board (Introduced May 3, 2022): This legislation seeks to prevent federal funding for initiatives resembling a Disinformation Governance Board, emphasizing concerns about free speech.
  • H.R. 3197 – Save the Liberty Theatre Act of 2021 (Introduced May 13, 2021): A bill to preserve the historic Liberty Theatre in Eunice, Louisiana, recognizing its cultural significance.

For a comprehensive list of sponsored bills, please refer to his profile on Congress.gov.

Votes and Stances on Major Social Issues

  • Abortion: Consistently supports pro-life legislation and sponsored the Unborn Child Support Act to provide financial support for unborn children.
  • LGBTQ+ Rights: Opposes same-sex marriage and has supported legislation allowing businesses to refuse services based on religious beliefs. As an attorney, he defended clients in cases involving religious objections to LGBTQ+ rights.
  • Gun Control: Advocates for Second Amendment rights and opposes restrictive gun control measures, emphasizing the importance of individual gun ownership for self-defense.

Votes and Stances on Major Economic Issues

  • Taxation: Supports tax cuts to stimulate economic growth and backed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which reduced corporate and individual tax rates.
  • Government Spending: Advocates for reducing federal spending to address the national debt and has opposed several large-scale spending bills due to concerns over fiscal responsibility.
  • Healthcare: Supports repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and advocates for market-based healthcare solutions to enhance competition and reduce costs.

Votes and Stances on National Defense

  • Military Funding: Supports robust funding for the military and advocates for modernizing the armed forces to address emerging global threats.
  • Foreign Policy: Takes a strong stance against adversarial nations and supports measures to counter foreign interference and aggression.

Demographics of the 4th Congressional District

Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District encompasses the northwest and western regions of the state, including cities like Shreveport and Bossier City. Key demographic data include:

  • Population: Approximately 760,000 residents.
  • Racial Composition:
  • White: 58%
  • Black or African American: 37%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 3%
  • Asian: 1%
  • Other: 1%
  • Median Household Income: Approximately $45,000.
  • Education:
  • High school graduate or higher: 85%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 20%

These statistics highlight a diverse constituency with varied economic and educational backgrounds.

Controversial Statements

2020 Presidential Election: Johnson was a prominent figure in challenging the 2020 election results and supported legal efforts to contest the outcomes.