As you well know, Washington had quite the fight to elect a Speaker of the House last week. While the scenes on your screens may have looked chaotic, I can assure you there was nothing chaotic about this process. We worked as a legislative body on behalf of our constituents to better shape the future of our majority — and the future of our Republic.
In other words, the House functioned as it should — and will continue to do so under our Republican majority.
Many of you asked what I fought for — but it isn’t necessarily what I fought for, but rather who I fought for. I fought for you, because you deserve a Washington that works for you, not for itself. And Washington working for itself is exactly how our nation’s capital has been run for far too long.
I came to Congress to fix Washington and fight for the Ninth — not advance the broken system that routinely fails the American people. The slim Republican majority gave us the opportunity of a lifetime and I took it. If not now, then when? If not us, then who? If we kicked the can down the road again, as Congress is famous for doing, then positive change wouldn’t have happened. For decades, this institution has stripped power from individual members and their constituents, emboldening leadership to shamelessly prioritize their agenda and special interests above the well-being of our nation.
How can we fix this broken system? By providing members with the tools, rules, and leadership required to restore the People’s House.
To make real change happen, we must fundamentally alter this institution. Thankfully, after a lengthy battle, 19 of my conservative colleagues and I, or “the 20”, achieved this transformational and historic change. Here are a few of the major victories we secured for the House on behalf of the American people:
- Jeffersonian Motion to vacate the Chair: Allows a single member to make the motion to remove the Speaker if he goes back on his word or policy agenda. This is the primary measure with very broad authority that holds the Speaker accountable.
- A Church-style committee to investigate the weaponization of government agencies, such as the FBI, DOJ, and NSA, against the American people.
- A budget that stops an increase in the debt ceiling without a plan to decrease and cap the growth of spending and holds the Senate accountable to House Rules and the Constitution.
- Bills will be single subject and Members will be given at least 72 hours to read them.
- A vote on the Texas Border Plan, which offers a four-pronged approach to secure our southern border.
- A vote on term limits.
- Ending all COVID-19 mandates and funding.
My fight was never about personalities — it was always about restoring the PEOPLE’S voice in the PEOPLE’S House. I ultimately voted for Kevin McCarthy as Speaker based on an agreement to a framework, which includes — among other great things — the items listed above, that creates significant historic institutional change.
I remain committed to working with my House Republican colleagues to get our nation back on track and implementing these changes in order to hold Speaker McCarthy accountable to the American people. I look forward to sharing more details with you about our agreement in the coming days, and I appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and support during this fight. Through it all, I’m honored to serve you and represent your voice here in Congress. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office if you have additional questions, comments, or concerns.
