Biography

Cheryl Lynn Johnson was born May 8, 1960, to Cynthia Terry Davis and Austin Johnson in New Orleans, Louisiana. She attended the University of Iowa and graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communication . In 1984, Johnson received her JD degree from Howard University.

Johnson served as the 36th Clerk of the United States House of Representatives from February 2019 to June 2023. She was the second African American woman to do so. Johnson served as the Speaker of the House from January 3, 2023, to January 7, 2023, after the House failed to elect a Speaker of the House. Typically, the Clerk of the House serves as the Speaker for mere minutes until the House elects a Speaker. She was the first African American woman and person of color to serve in this position.

In 2025, Johnson was appointed to the Board of the Office of Congressional Conduct, an office which oversees investigated alleged violations of “law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct” by a “Member, officer, or employee of the House”.

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