(NAFB.com) – American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall welcomed the election of Representative Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, to be Speaker of the House. Johnson was the fourth Republican nominee for the post following the ousting of former speaker Kevin McCarthy. Duvall of AFBF says, “Speaker Johnson has a strong history of supporting America’s farmers and ranchers, which has earned him the ‘Friend of Farm Bureau’ award multiple times.” Johnson represents Louisiana’s 4^th Congressional district, encompassing much of the state’s western half, and was first elected to Congress in 2016. Johnson calls the election an “honor of a lifetime” while proclaiming, “We will restore trust in this body.” Duvall of Farm Bureau adds,” America’s families are relying on Speaker Johnson, and Congress, to focus on pressing needs, including completion of fiscal year 2024 appropriations and passage of a farm bill.”