|
The Republican Steering Committee will not meet until after the House GOP retreat next week, Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters on Thursday, giving members campaigning for the open slot on the Appropriations Committee one more week to make their cases.
The delay also will allow for more buildup, and potentially more controversy, on the decision to fill the coveted opening on the spending panel.
Republican Reps. Jo Bonner (Ala.), Henry Brown Jr. (S.C.), Tom Cole (Okla.), Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Dave Reichert (Wash.) and Michael Turner (Ohio) have expressed interest in the post left vacant by ex-Rep. and now-Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
“All of them are under consideration,” Boehner said Thursday.
House Republicans are well aware that influential conservative groups are monitoring the process to replace Wicker. If Flake, known for combating earmarks, is not selected, these groups are expected to lash out at House GOP leaders.
Boehner indicated the earmark issue would be discussed at length at the retreat. In the meantime, contenders continue to make their case to steering committee members.
In response to a joke that he would pass out buttons at the retreat to endorse his candidacy, Flake produced a blue one from his coat that read “Make It Flake.”
The Arizona lawmaker explained FreedomWorks, headed up by Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas), produced the buttons.
Armey endorsed Flake in a release earlier this week.
|
