House Speaker Mike Johnson's Uncommon 'Covenant Marriage' Puts Spotlight On His Conservative Values

Newly appointed House Speaker, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), is a participant in a “covenant marriage,” a type of marital arrangement that makes obtaining a divorce more challenging compared to the standard American legal process.

What Happened: Business Insider reports that Rep. Johnson, the recently elected House Speaker, has been in a covenant marriage since 1999. Under Louisiana state law, this form of marriage necessitates couples to receive marital counseling before considering a divorce. Additionally, divorce is only granted under specific conditions, such as adultery, imprisonment, or abuse.

Johnson, the fourth Republican selected for the Speaker’s role following Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) ousting, is an evangelical Christian. He is a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage and has supported legislation similar to Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Law.

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“Covenant marriages” were first legalized in Louisiana in 1997, with Arizona and Arkansas subsequently passing similar laws. However, this type of marriage is relatively rare, with only 2% of Louisiana couples opting for it.

Johnson’s wife, Kelly, voiced her support for their covenant marriage in a 2005 ABC interview, saying it symbolizes his commitment to their lifelong bond. Johnson himself has actively promoted these types of marriages, encouraging friends to consider them.

Why It Matters: The spotlight on Johnson’s personal life, particularly his covenant marriage, provides further insight into his conservative beliefs and values, and could potentially impact his political stance and decisions in the future.

Johnson emerged as the GOP choice for House Speaker on Wednesday, bringing an end to a tumultuous period of leadership uncertainty.

Johnson’s conservative stance and his opposition to cannabis legislation have been highlighted in the wake of his election.

His victory was also lauded by former President Donald Trump, who claimed to have played a role in Johnson’s success.

Photo Courtesy: Lev Radin On Shutterstock.com

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