Newly-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told viewers in his first international speech since taking the gavel that the “Judeo-Christian tradition” and “classic liberalism” formed Western values.
Johnson virtually addressed the inaugural conference of the Alliance For Responsible Citizenship (ARC) in London, outlining four questions he asks of himself to form an “optimistic vision” for the U.S. and the world moving forward, Fox News reported.
“[D]emocracy can be messy, and thankfully, I believe the United States Congress and our entire nation has re-emerged now as a beacon of liberty for the world as a result of all this,” Johnson said shortly after beginning his speech.
“The House is back in session as we say here. Now look, I believe God brings leaders together to address certain challenges, just as I believe the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship has been called together this week to begin the challenging work of pushing back on the failed visions that currently plague the West.”
He called on audience members to consider “How do we restore good governance and restore faith in our institutions,” how to “re-focus on the family and strengthen the social fabric that ties us all together,” and “the best way to deliver reliable and affordable energy” and finally: “how do we sell the idea that the best answers to these questions are the keys to greater human flourishing across the globe?”
“The answers to these and other key questions will form our optimistic vision and what we’re calling our better story,” he said.
The Speaker then cited the “unprecedented times” both at home and abroad, which include “political divides” in the U.S. and a “crisis of identity” in the Western world at large, Fox News added.
The outlet noted further:
He referenced international instability in Hamas’ attacks on Israel, China’s growing aggression to Taiwan and its neighbors, and the “war in Eastern Europe.”
Johnson called on the people gathered to seek a “better story” in terms of expanding opportunity and “the return of responsibility” from government to individuals.
“And finally, and most importantly, our better story says that we, in the West, draw on an extraordinary heritage, built on the best of the classical liberal and the Judaeo-Christian tradition. These are not just political ideas; these are foundational principles which have governed our public debate for centuries and which we would do well to remember,” he said.
As he began to wrap up his comments, Johnson called for a “radical shift in thinking about the role of government and the proper delegation of responsibility.”
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