Ron Johnson on abortion, climate change and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Here are key takeaways from an hour long Q&A

Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said Monday that he has been urging Republicans to take the lead on the issue of abortion and once again pushed for a referendum to decide the legality of such a procedure in Wisconsin.

Nearly all abortions are prohibited in the state under an 1849 law that went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned Roe v. Wade and sent the issue back to the states.

More: After second major loss, Wisconsin GOP leaders say it's about more than abortion

Johnson, who raised the prospect of such a referendum during his re-election campaign last year, said he'd leave it to the voters to decide "at what point does society have the responsibility to protect life."

He said voters could choose a range of options on when to protect life and could put down three choices.

"I have a hard time believing people would allow abortion past about 12 weeks," he said.

More: GOP U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden calls on Wisconsin lawmakers to pass exceptions to abortion ban, consider 15-week law

Johnson addressed the Milwaukee Press Club for the first time since he defeated Democrat Mandela Barnes in last year's crucial Senate race.

Here are some of the takeaways from his hour-long question-and-answer session.

Johnson dismisses the importance of climate change

Johnson is a noted skeptic about the seriousness of addressing climate change and the practicality of bringing it under control.

He said climate change has been a fact of life on earth through all of time, noting a large rise in sea level in San Francisco Bay. He did not mention the accelerating effects of carbon in the atmosphere that is at the center of the current crisis and derided federal spending to combat the issue.

"I mean, it's just crazy what we're doing," he said. "But why are we doing it? Again, it's to create a state of fear. So individuals can gain control and power over our lives. It's a loss of freedom. That's what this is all about. How can we take an issue, scare the you-know-what out of people and take people's freedom away? I don't get it. I you know, I don't want to control of anybody's life like some people do."

He called Joe Biden corrupt and pushed for impeachments of key administration officials

Johnson has been leading the Republican charge to uncover and publicize what was contained on a laptop owned by Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden.

Johnson accused Hunter Biden and his family of "influence peddling" and charged "Biden Family Inc." sells the "Biden family name" and "certainly compromises the president."

Even though he called the president "corrupt" he added it wouldn't be practical to impeach the president. But he excoriated other members of the administration, calling for impeachments of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Republicans have accused Blinken of helping orchestrate a letter from ex-intelligence officers that the Hunter Biden laptop story could be Russian disinformation.

The senator painted a dire picture of the war between Ukraine and Russia

Johnson contended that had the West acted "decisively" in providing weaponry to Ukraine, Russia might have been "driven out" in the early part of the war.

"But that time has passed," he said. "It's gone."

"So here we are today," he added. "I don't see any scenario in which the final result of Ukraine is going to be better than it is today. And it's awful right now... That's for everybody. Not for Putin, not for Ukraine ... This needs to end."

More: Ron Johnson casts doubts on continued U.S. aid helping Ukraine in its fight against Russia, calls for negotiations to begin

Johnson listened to Robert F. Kennedy Jr's two-hour announcement speech

Johnson offered some praise for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has launched a Democratic primary campaign to unseat Biden. Kennedy and Johnson have both been publicly skeptical about the COVID-19 vaccine program.

Johnson said he recently read two books recommended to him by Kennedy. He said Kennedy's campaign announcement speech echoed some things he has said.

"Let's focus on areas of agreement," Johnson said.

And what about running for another term?

In 2017, Johnson made a pledge to serve only two terms. But in mounting his latest campaign, he said circumstances had changed when he decided to run and win a third term.

Could he keep running when his seat opens again in 2028?

"I certainly learned in 2022 to never say never," he said.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ron Johnson on abortion, climate change, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.