(The Center Square) — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., exchanged barbs over a weekend visit by the Vermont independent to Shreveport.
Sanders attracted a large Shreveport crowd during his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour stop on Saturday where he addressed President Donald Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Sanders’ arrival drew criticism from Republicans including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who sponsored a billboard in the city a day before the senator was set to speak.
“As Bernie Sanders arrives in Shreveport, families will be reminded that his policy ideas are disastrous,” said Johnson in a statement. “If he and Democrats in Washington had their way, they would defeat the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ and force the people of our district to pay an average of nearly $1,300 more in federal taxes every year. That is one of the many reasons Louisiana, like the rest of our nation, will pass on Democrats’ socialism and tax hikes.”
The billboard along Interstate 20 referenced socialism and a $1,300 tax increase.
Sanders acknowledged Johnson and his remarks during his rally over the weekend.
“Let me also thank your local Congressman Mike Johnson for welcoming me to Shreveport,” Sanders said during his introduction at the rally. “I saw a post of the billboard that the speaker put up on I-20. […] In truth, he did note what I am going to talk about today, and that is this absolutely horrific piece of legislation that Johnson is pushing in the congress.”
According to Sanders, he does not believe in the “red state, blue state nonsense.”
“Our job, whether we come from a conservative state or a progressive state, is to bring our people together,” said Sanders.
Apart from the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Sanders took the stage to discuss the current “oligarchic form of society” he believes many Americans are now living in. According to Sanders, there is more wealth and income inequality in America today than at any other point in the country’s history.
Among those who spoke at the Shreveport event were former Louisiana Department of Mental Health Secretary Eddie Jenkins and Louisiana Civil Rights Activist Gary Chambers.
Caddo Commission President Stormy Gage-Watts and Shreveport City Council Chairwoman Tabitha Taylor were seated behind Sanders on stage during the event. Taylor previously spoke with The Center Square about the Senator’s arrival in the city.
“I believe Senator Sanders will lead with a charge that will be uplifting and motivating while acknowledging the concerns that so many of us have,” said Taylor. “I am highly encouraged and grateful for his presence in our city.”
Data from Sanders revealed that all of his events so far brought over 260,000 people in attendance, consisting of Democrats, Republicans and independents.
The Senate begins its consideration of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” this week. It passed the House on May 22.
