(Jewish Link Staff) Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was elected the nation’s 56th House speaker on Wednesday, October 25. Johnson was the fourth nominee tapped by the Republicans in two weeks. Without a speaker in place, the House was unable to approve new aid to Israel.

In his first speech on the House floor, Johnson said, “Our nation’s greatest ally in the Middle East is under attack. The first bill that I’m going to bring to this floor will be in support of our dear friend Israel, and we’re overdue in getting that done.”

“We’re going to show not only Israel but the entire world that the barbarism of Hamas that we have all seen play out on our television screens is wretched and wrong and we are going to stand for the good in that conflict.”

The first piece of legislation passed by the House after Johnson’s rise to speaker was a 412-10 vote to support Israel and condemn Hamas.