Scalise confirms bid for House Majority Leader

Before electing a replacement for House Speaker John Boehner, Rep. Peter Roskam R-Ill. on Saturday morning is pushing his colleagues for a meeting to “confront the underlying issues” that led to his resignation.

After Boehner’s announcement Friday that he would resign, Scalise called him a friend and mentor and highlighted the leader’s conservative credentials.

He described the past few days as a whirlwind and surreal, especially following on the heels of Pope Francis’ visit to Washington, D.C. and address to Congress. Scalise, a devout Catholic, was heavily involved in the papal events at the Capitol.

Sixth District Congressman Luke Messer says John Boehner’s successor as House speaker needs to find a way to unite Republicans. “But you’ve got to move fast and we’ve been putting together a really strong team”. He was elected in June 2014 as majority whip, the No. 3 job or chief vote counter, in the leadership shuffle that followed the surprise defeat of then-Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a Republican primary.

Scalise, who turns 50 next month, has been in the House since 2008.

Late a year ago, it was learned the Scalise gave a speech in 2002 to a white-rights group founded by David Duke.

In the letter to Rodgers, Roskam said the huddle is needed to develop “the best strategy for moving forward with leadership elections”, noting Boehner stepped down because of deep conflicts between GOP House members.

McMorris Rodgers has not made any public statements about whether she would be interested in the speakership or majority leader position in the House. “We’ve got serious problems, the economy is still struggling, spending is out of control, the health care law is causing so many problems in the country”.

Others who are said to be eyeing a run for House Majority Leader include Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington. House Republicans have not yet announced when the leadership elections will take place.

“I am eternally grateful for the steady, principled leadership Speaker Boehner has provided the House, and for the friendship and mentorship he’s given me”, Scalise said.