After Boehner’s announcement Friday that he would resign, Scalise called him a friend and mentor and highlighted the leader’s conservative credentials.
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“As both Republican study committee chairman and majority whip, I’ve made it a top priority to bring openness and inclusiveness into the legislative process so we can bring our dynamic conference together as we advance our agenda”, he continued.
“His humility, patriotism and commitment to our values will be deeply missed”.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., the fourth highest-ranking Republican in the House, called Boehner the “right man at the right time” and said he “led in a fair, decisive way”.
Scalise, 49, was elected in June 2014 as whip, responsible for counting and corralling Republican votes for legislation endorsed by the leadership.
Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., threw his support behind Gowdy earlier in the day but later said after meeting with him it was “clear” he would not run for the position.
According to a veteran lawmaker and former leadership staff, a few junior Republicans are considering pushing an internal rules change that would forbid someone from running for an elected leadership post while not giving up the other slot.
Roskam, 54, is another blue-stater with solid conservative credentials. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Jeb Hensarling of Texas-who waived his own leadership bid to throw his weight behind Price-Monday.
McHenry, who serves North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District, formally announced his plan run for House majority whip. Tom Price, the House Budget Committee chairman, and Steve Scalise, the majority whip, vying for the post.
The GOP Caucus was slated to meet behind closed doors Tuesday evening to “discuss” its leadership.
With McMorris Rodgers in a leadership role, Golladay said agriculture would hopefully see movement with regard to the Endangered Species Act, which he said is “getting unruly to work with”. Scalise issued an apology and held onto that post with the backing of Boehner and McCarthy.
Scalise, who turns 50 next month, has been in the House since 2008.
[Steve Scalise: “We’re strongest when we’re united”]. As whip, he has in place a team of deputies experienced at member persuasion who can be enlisted in support of his candidacy.
Scalise speculated that the pope “didn’t want to get into specific policy, but I do think he wanted to address the topics – a conversation that this country deeply needs to have”.
Scalise almost lost his post as majority whip late past year before even officially assuming the position after that 2002 speech came to light.
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The incident may not hurt Scalise with his fellow House Republicans, among whom he is generally well-liked, but it won’t help.
