- Tea Party Patriots and Freedom Works call for replacement of Speaker Boehne
- Texas Congressman Louis Gohmert announces
- Possibly Florida Congressman Ted Yoho
- House votes Tuesday January 6th
- Contact Republican House members – 29 needed
Influential conservative grassroots organizations Freedom Works and Tea Party Patriots are calling for Speaker of the House Boehner to be replaced. Neither organizations have picked a favorite of the two most prominent congressmen that have said they were willing to run.
Freedom Works, whose Board of Directors includes Steve Forbes, offers this analysis: Here’s why House Republicans should replace Speaker Boehner
The mechanism for doing so is also explained by them: Replacing Speaker Boehner: Here’s How It’s Done
Message from Tea Party Patriots (excerpts) :
In direct response to the President’s illegal actions on Obamacare and amnesty, Americans took a stand by electing conservatives to Congress in a truly historic, landslide victory. Thanks to your efforts, dozens of defeated Obama allies just cleaned out their Washington, D.C. offices.
Now, the hard work begins. The establishment elites in both parties are furious that Congress now has a record number of constitutional conservatives in the U.S. House. These establishment types are ready to go to war with the Tea Party and continue shredding the Constitution, while propping up special interest groups and crony capitalism.
House Speaker John Boehner fired the first shot, by supporting the shameful CRomnibus, which fully funds the Obama agenda, including President Obama’s unilateral executive amnesty. The CRomnibus was passed in the dark of night before Members could read it, and it required Democrat votes to pass. This explains why a whopping 60% of Republicans who voted in the last election understand that Boehner represents the status quo, and they want him removed as Speaker.
These polling numbers are devastating for Boehner, but he didn’t have anyone willing to challenge him.
Until now!
Texas Congressman Louis Gohmert press release:
Washington, Jan 4 Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) released the following statement today regarding his decision to buck the status quo and challenge John Boehner in the race for House Speaker:
“After the November elections gave Republicans control of the Senate, voters made clear they wanted change. There have been numerous examples of problematic Republican leadership, but we were hopeful our leaders got the voters’ message. However, after our Speaker forced through the CRomnibus by passing it with Democratic votes and without time to read it, it seemed clear that we needed new leadership. There had been much discussion. But, until yesterday, no one had stepped up.
I applaud my friend Rep. Ted Yoho for putting his name forward as an alternative to the status quo. Ted is a good man for whom I could vote, but I have heard from many supporters and also friends in Congress who have urged me to put forward my name for Speaker as well to increase our chances of change. That is why I am also offering my name as a candidate for Speaker.
There is false information being floated that any Republican candidates in addition to the current Speaker will split the vote and give the Speaker’s gavel to Congresswoman Pelosi. This is nothing but a scare tactic to keep the current regime in power.
As long as Republicans vote for an adult American citizen for Speaker, no Democrat can win. Only if 59 Republicans voted “Present” would there be a chance for a Democrat to win.
To win the Speaker’s race, an adult American citizen has to get a clear majority of all Members of Congress on the House floor voting for an eligible person. Voting “Present” simply reduces the number of votes required to win a majority. If no one wins a majority on the first ballot, then we go to a second vote, then a third, until someone gets a majority.
At this point, the Speaker’s election is not about a particular candidate. It is about whether we keep the status quo or make the change the country demands. I am putting forward my name for consideration as Speaker and hope that with a new Speaker, be that me or someone else, we can fight for the ideals and principles that the voters wanted when they elected us in November.”
Congressman Gohmert is the Vice Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Prior to being elected to serve in Congress, Louie was elected to three terms as District Judge in Smith County, Texas. He was appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to complete a term as Chief Justice of the 12th Court of Appeals.
Daily Caller’s Chuck Ross reports Yoho interested Florida Rep. Ted Yoho Offers Himself Up As Boehner Replacement
Excerpts:
“I ran for Congress in 2012 because I had had enough,” Yoho said. “Enough of career politicians, enough of political gamesmanship, and enough of the lack of leadership in Washington.”
“The American people have spoken loud and clear by their choice to elect conservative Representatives to serve them in Washington,” Yoho continued. “It’s our turn now, as Members of the People’s House, to echo their demands by electing a new Speaker.”
Oklahoma’s Jim Bridenstine set the anti-Boehner ball rolling when he announced on Friday that he would not back the Ohio Republican, who took over as speaker in 2011. Kentucky U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie followed suit early Saturday.
Phone calls, faxes, key
House switchboard phone number to call Iowa Congressman Steve King — Rod Blum (elect) and David Young (elect) 202-224-3121. (still no direct phone lines listed for Blum and Young DC offices).
