Recent rumors surrounding House Speaker Mike Johnson’s alleged overnight stays in his office have ignited a fresh wave of controversy on Capitol Hill. While unconfirmed by Johnson’s team, various sources and eyewitness accounts suggest that the Louisiana native may be making his Cannon House Office Building workspace a makeshift bedroom.
Business Insider conducted interviews with two lawmakers sharing the same office building as Johnson in early November 2023. Both raised suspicions about the Speaker’s nocturnal presence, citing the consistent company of his security detail and multiple sightings of Johnson in the House gym during the early morning hours – a common practice among overnight occupants for pre-work showers.
Ross Barrett, a Louisiana businessman and a close associate of Johnson, corroborated these claims, stating, “He hasn’t gotten an extensive apartment on Capitol Hill or anything like that. Oftentimes, he spends the nights in his office.”
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Background on the Practice
This controversy is not new to Capitol Hill. Even before Johnson’s appointment, the issue of lawmakers sleeping overnight in their offices has been a subject of debate. In 2018, more than 24 members of the Congressional Black Caucus called for an ethics investigation into the practice, asserting that it constitutes an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
According to a letter addressed to Ethics Committee Chairwoman Susan Brooks and ranking member Red Deutch, lawmakers staying overnight enjoy free lodging, cable, security, cleaning services, and other utilities, violating ethics rules that prohibit official resources for personal purposes. The practice has been criticized on hygiene grounds as well, with concerns about cleanliness and health raised by various representatives.
Tradition on Capitol Hill
Sleeping in the office has become a norm on Capitol Hill, with the tradition reportedly dating back to Texas Representative Dick Armey’s “Republican Revolution” in 1994. Some politicians, however, are hesitant to disclose their sleeping arrangements, giving rise to the aptly named “cot club.” High-profile figures, including former House Speakers Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy, have openly admitted to the practice.
An investigation into Speaker Johnson’s finances by Business Insider revealed that he is not among the most affluent U.S. politicians. Despite an increase in income with his new appointment, Johnson still maintains ongoing financial commitments, including a mortgage estimated between $250,000 and $500,000 from Citizens National Bank.
No Public Confirmation
Speaker Johnson’s staff has refrained from commenting publicly on the allegations, leaving the situation shrouded in mystery. Despite Business Insider’s investigation into Johnson’s finances and an inability to produce a D.C. address associated with him from public records, a definitive confirmation remains elusive.
The controversy surrounding Speaker Mike Johnson’s sleeping arrangements, fueled by the long-standing tradition on Capitol Hill and testimonies from coworkers, continues to raise questions about the ethics and practicality of overnight stays in congressional offices.
