There are about a dozen people who have announced or are considering a run at House Speaker.
That’s according to Congressman Bill Flores of Bryan…who is one of those waiting for the final decision from Wisconsin’s Paul Ryan.
During his weekly update on WTAW’s The Infomanics, Flores says his pitch starts with 30 years experience in the private sector.
“I know how to work with groups, to paint a common vision, to get people to work together as a team. We need more teamwork in Washington. And to execute that vision on behalf of the American people. Before we used to do it for our customers and our shareholders and our employees. But now we’re doing for everybody in America, for hard-working American families.”
Flores also says over the last five years, the speaker has had too much authority over goes on the House floor. He would delegate to the majority leader the responsibility of creating a GOP consensus in the House and reverse the practice where issues are driven from the top down.
Flores says he is among six Texans interested in the Speaker’s post, along with Mike Conaway, Michael McCaul, Jeb Hensarling, Kevin Brady, and Pete Sessions.
Click below for comments from Congressman Bill Flores, visiting with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia:
Audio Player
Also on Wednesday, Flores sent a email/letter to all of his fellow Republican colleagues regarding the Speaker’s post.
Courtesy of Congressman Bill Flores’ office, the email/letter that Flores sent Wednesday morning to all of his fellow Republican colleagues regarding him considering a run for Speaker of the House:
Dear House GOP Colleague:
Over the last few days, many of you have spoken to me about the future direction of our Conference and the challenges we face. The overarching theme from these conversations is that we must unite as House Republicans to meet the challenges that lie ahead in order to advance a bold, positive agenda for our great nation. With this aim, it is incumbent on us to select a Speaker who will promote our common vision, unify our Conference, and collaboratively develop and advance legislative solutions to address our country’s strategic challenges.
During those conversations, many of you have asked me to consider serving as Speaker of the House. I am humbled to have my name mentioned as a potential candidate, and I am considering the pursuit of the Speakership in response to those requests. Obviously, the decision to lead our Conference and the “People’s House” is not one that should be taken lightly. Accordingly, I am praying for God’s guidance in this regard and seeking the advice and counsel of my family, House colleagues, and friends. It is important for me to unequivocally state, however, that I will not run for this position should Chairman Ryan elect to run.
The United States of America currently faces a number of significant challenges. At home, we have a President who routinely disregards the Constitution, the established law of the land, and the will of the people. In addition, the federal government’s fiscal situation is a nightmare, and the White House’s economic policies inhibit economic growth and hurt American families. Abroad, we face a world that no longer respects America as evidenced by the rise of a resurgent Russia, the expansionist policies of China, the growth of terrorist groups like the Islamic State, and the nuclear ambitions of Iran. These challenges, combined with a shrinking U.S. military, have caused our closest allies like Israel to question our resolve and our commitments.
The foregoing challenges, combined with a Senate that places its 19th century processes, e.g. the filibuster rules, ahead of carrying out its Article I responsibilities during these critical times, have left the GOP Conference of the House of Representatives as the sole Constitutional advocate for economic growth, fiscal responsibility, national security, American values, and Constitutionally limited government. Unfortunately, our internal divisions have hurt our effectiveness in fulfilling those roles for our country.
It is imperative that we bridge our differences, develop a common vision based upon bold principles, unite behind that common vision, and execute the Member driven processes to effect that vision on behalf of the American people. One of the critical steps to do this is to elect a Speaker of the House to lead us to fulfill these goals. House Republicans should elect a Speaker that is able to unite the Conference in order to effectively address these challenges. We can achieve a unified and successful House GOP when Members recognize (i) the desires and needs of our fellow colleagues to successfully serve their respective districts, (ii) the value of pursuing the best achievable outcomes as exemplified by the policy successes of Ronald Reagan’s presidency, and (iii) the strength that comes through unity with our House GOP sisters and brothers. While each of us desires to achieve all of our individual goals, we must also recognize that a measured approach is sometimes necessary for the Conference as a whole to be successful. Moreover, we should develop rules that encourage all Members to be fully empowered in the House’ legislative processes.
Should I ultimately elect to run for Speaker, the qualifications that I bring to this position are summarized below:
· I have 30 years of private sector experience in the energy industry with companies from 50 employees to over 10,000 employees, including 20 years of “C” level leadership experience that includes serving as CEO for a successful oil and gas exploration company.
· My success as a CEO, COO, and CFO was the result of my ability to develop bold visions, build high-quality teams, and to empower those teams to deliver results.
· I am a believer in participative processes that empower people to have a voice, and to take ownership of opportunities to advance, to add value, and to lead.
· The Members of the Republican Study Committee have entrusted me to serve as its Chair while it has grown to its largest membership. During this time, the RSC has continued to generate bold legislative solutions, while making sure that we remain firmly rooted to our conservative principles.
While we all await an announcement regarding the schedule for the next Speaker election, I would appreciate the opportunity to hear your thoughts about the qualities our next Speaker should possess, and how we can work together to reunite and restore our country and our Conference. In addition, I would like to hear your thoughts about my potential pursuit of the Speaker’s position. Over the next few days, I will reach out to each of you to seek your feedback and advice. Also, please feel free to call me on my mobile phone should you wish to visit before I contact you; if you do not have that number, please call my office at 202-225-6105.
I close by asking each of you to also pray for our country, our military men and women, and our first responders. We should also be passionate in praying for each other and for our mutual success as humble and selfless servants for America’s hardworking families. If we all spend enough time on our knees praying for each other, we can heal our divisions and truly work together to restore America to the “Shining City on a Hill” that President Reagan challenged us to become.
With great respect,
Bill Flores
17th District of Texas