In the News

Ever since Donald Trump was elected President-- Congressmen and Senators have had to face hostile crowds at town hall meetings back home.

One of the President's biggest supporters is Northwest Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson. But he got a very different reception as a recent town hall in Vivian.

The crowd was respectful... attentive... and curious.

KTBS-3 News had a chance to visit with Johnson at the town hall-- and he spoke on many of the questions facing our country.

"I've spent a lot of time over the past several weeks with the President; the Vice-president; the leadership in congress," Johnson said, "and I'm convinced the leaders' hearts are in the right place."

Congressman Mike Johnson of Bossier Parish came home during a recent congressional recess. Like a lot of his colleagues, he wanted to hear from his constituents. He thinks congress and President Trump will be able to work together to keep most of the President's campaign promises despite their rocky start on rocky legislation.

"The devil is always in the details on legislation," said Johnson, "but we're working together-- we're going to get these big agenda items done."

After the way Republicans bungled the first attempt at replacing Obama care, convincing Americans that can be accomplished-- might be a tough sell.

"I'm very optimistic," Johnson said, "I actually believe we're going to get a vote as soon as we return to the capital next week."

Jonson is arch-conservative, but not a known member of the Freedom Caucus-- which is getting much of the blame for failure to make changes to the Affordable Care Act.

"I'm one of a handful of members of Congress who have been working on that," said Johnson, "to broker the compromise amongst the various factions in the Republican Party. We've got some amendments that are actually going to drive premiums down; and that was important to us. We had to accomplish that."

Tax reform seems to be the next big item the President wants to tackle.

"I think we are going to be able to lower the corporate tax rates," Johnson said, "and also the individual tax rates as well. I think the corporate tax rates will probably be first in the order-- and I think that will help unleash the markets again."

Regulatory reform was also high on the president's list-- Johnson's too.

"We're rolling back regulations on the oil and gas industry and so many of the sectors of our economy that are important to the people here." explained Johnson.

Johnson had a ringside seat when Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards made a recent appearance before Congress-- asking for more money for flood relief.

"It was very frustrating for us," said Johnson, "I was on the panel; I asked him questions. There is a lot of blame to go around-- to FEMA as well as the state-- and how we administered that. The bottom line is we've got to do that better."

Johnson also addressed international tensions.

"The world is a dangerous place," said Johnson, "and that's why we need to have a strong America. We have to project that around the world; maintain the peace through our strength. And I think President Trump understands that."

Most would agree-- the current top threat to world peace-- is North Korea.

"Kim Jong Un is a dangerous person," said Johnson, "he's young; he's inexperienced; and I think he's got an inferiority complex. And he's got some very powerful weapons."

Johnson also spoke of the recent U.S. missile attack in Syria-- directed by President Trump following a poison gas attack-- which most believe was ordered by Syrian leader Bashar Al Assad.

"We dropped the Tomahawk missiles, and we absolutely had to do it," Johnson said, "we got classified briefings at the Pentagon from the Joint Chiefs of Staff; suffice it to say that our intelligence committee knew exactly who dropped the gas. It was Assad-- there's no question about it."

Finally, President's first 100 days in office are a mixed bag. He's been subjected to severe criticism from the media and Democrats-- even some members of his own party.

Has that been bothersome to Mr. Trump?

"I think it does bother him," Johnson said, "I mean, we're all human. But, he's learned. He's taken criticism his entire career-- and maybe it gets to him too much sometimes; but I do believe he's focused on the end game."

As for changes to Obama care-- Johnson thinks a vote could be taken on a new Republican plan by the end of this week.