Reporter Asks If Republican ‘Dysfunction’ Is Ruining America’s World Reputation at Biden Joint Presser

A reporter at a press conference with President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia asked if GOP “dysfunction” is causing the world to view the U.S. as an “unreliable partner.”

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was elected speaker of the House Wednesday after 23 days of chaos, and despite a record of supporting ex-President Donald Trump’s attempt to overthrow the 2020 election.

Within minutes of that vote — literally as the swearing-in festivities were underway — President Biden held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Albanese in the Rose Garden of the White House with a full complement of U.S. and foreign press.

USA Today White House correspondent Joey Garrison (not to be confused with a military base staffed by baby kangaroos) used his second question to break the news of Johnson’s election to both leaders, then asked Albanese if spectacles like the speaker’s vote and the default showdown shake world confidence in the United States:

JOEY GARRISON: Prime Minister — Prime Minister Albanese — and welcome, again, to Washington — President Biden canceled his May trip to Australia because of debt ceiling talks in Congress to avoid a first-ever default here in the U.S.

More recently, congressional action has stalled as House Republicans try to pick a Speaker. However, it does appear, since we’ve been out here, that the House has elected a Congressman, Mike Johnson from Louisiana, to that role.

But are you worried that grid- — the gridlock in Washington will hold up the transfer of nuclear-powered subs to Australia as part of the AUKUS agreement? And are you concerned, more broadly, that the dysfunction makes the U.S. a less reliable partner?

PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: I regard the United States as a very reliable partner. And I regard the relationship that I have with the President as second to none of the relationships that I have around the world or indeed domestically, for that matter. (Laughter.)

It’s a — it’s a relationship of trust, and I think this visit symbolizes that. This is the ninth visit that I’ve had with President Biden. I got to meet President Biden when he was Vice President Biden just — just next door here some years ago.

And I’m very confident in the discussions that I’ve had with Democrats and Republicans that there is very broad support for the AUKUS arrangements, and that there will be support for the legislation going forward. And I think that would be a very good thing. It is in the interest of Australia, but it’s also in the interest of the United States.

And everyone that I have spoken to — similarly in the United Kingdom — across the political spectrum are all supportive of the AUKUS arrangements.

Watch above via The White House.