House Speaker Johnson Rallies for Rep. Bresnahan, Accuses Mayor Cognetti of Undermining Law Enforcement
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson recently joined Representative Rob Bresnahan at a campaign event in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to support Bresnahan's re-election bid against Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti. During the rally, Johnson and Bresnahan criticized Mayor Cognetti, alleging that her administration cut funding for local law enforcement and that violent crime is increasing in Scranton. Specifically, Representative Bresnahan claimed that Mayor Cognetti's administration reduced funding for police guns and ammunition by 50% after discussions with activist groups, and that she objected when the city council attempted to restore funding for special operations ammunition. Mayor Cognetti's campaign, however, countered these claims, stating that public safety is a personal priority for her and that she has invested millions in local law enforcement. Her campaign provided data indicating a 21.5% increase in police spending between 2020 and 2024 and an increase in ammunition purchases from $20,000 to $50,000 in... 
