January 6, 2014—Twenty-five Republicans stood against the GOP establishment and voted not to re-elect Rep. John Boehner as Speaker of the House. By the Washington Post’s barometer, it was the “largest revolt against a House speaker in more than 150 years.” Despite their efforts, Boehner was re-elected, earning 216 of the total 408 votes cast.

Several of these representatives shared their thoughts on the vote on social media and in mainstream media. “Republican conference rules limit chairmen to six years in their offices to promote fresh thinking and new priorities,” Rep. Justin Amash said in a Facebook post. “We should apply those same principles to all our party’s leaders.”

Rep. Dan Webster posted to Facebook, “It appears that I will be nominated for Speaker of the House. I am humbled and honored by the confidence many of my colleagues have placed in me.”

Rep. Ted Yoho was also an alternative to Bohener as speaker. In a public announcement of his opposition to Bohner, Yoho said, “I ran for Congress in 2012 because I had had enough. Enough of career politicians, enough of political gamesmanship, and enough of the lack of leadership in Washington. As we enter 2015, we are faced with overwhelming challenges. However, the dawn of 2015 also promises unlimited potential and the opportunity to begin rebuilding America.”

Rep. Rod Blum posted the following statement on Facebook about voting for Rep. Daniel Webster for Speaker: “I was elected by Iowans to stand up to the status quo in Washington, DC, and I refuse to turn my back on them with my first vote. While I know Speaker Boehner is a good man and I respect the job he has done as Speaker, I must follow the will of the Eastern Iowans who rejected politics as usual in November and are calling for change in DC. With Congressional approval ratings at historic lows, it’s time for our elected officials to listen to the people and rethink business as usual so we can move our country forward together.”

In yet another post to Facebook, Rep. Paul Gosar made the following statement about the vote: “I want to sincerely thank the thousands of you who contacted my office to voice your opinion about the direction of House Leadership. The phone lines were burning up across Capitol Hill over the past few days.

“You sent a clear message to Congress that the American people are fed up with the status quo and have called for bold action to stand against the Obama Administration’s lawlessness. I share those feelings and that is why I am thankful for the open and honest discussion we had about new leadership in the House.

“Concerns raised by me and other members were heard and will not soon be forgotten. I still believe that the 114th Congress can take bold action to address the serious problems facing our country. But first, we must listen to the American people and have the courage to fix our flawed legislative process. I am proud to be a member of the people’s House and will continue working with all of my colleagues to restore liberty and economic prosperity.”

In an interview with Newsmax prior to the vote, Rep. Walter Jones said Boehner is “a good man, but I could vote for anyone other than Boehner.”

“If this place is going to be controlled by one man and dictated to by one man, all we need is puppets up here, so they can have strings on their hands and they can lift their hands and put them back down,” Jones said. “If that’s what this democracy is about, then there is no democracy. … When you call out a different name on the floor of the House, you’ve got to have the strength to do it.”

In a column published by Breitbart, Rep. King wrote of Bohener, “I know the pattern of his strategy and actions for the past 12 years to the point where I can predict the results. I am convinced Congress will not be allowed to restore its Constitutional authority under his Speakership and by refusing to do so, cannot call upon the courts to do so. How then, can I take an oath to the Constitution and put up a vote for John Boehner, almost in the same breath?

“We need a Speaker who will help us all keep our oath, including his own, to the Constitution, not one who has consistently blocked our efforts to keep ours. I will vote for an alternative candidate for Speaker. I can’t vote for John Boehner again.”

In an OpEd published by the Cincinnati Enquirer, Rep. Thomas Massie wrote, “Rather than defend their own vote for the current speaker, some will choose to spread misinformation about my vote. It is untrue that a vote for anyone other than the current speaker will cause Rep. Nancy Pelosi to be elected. To become speaker of the House, one must receive a majority rather than a plurality of the votes cast for candidates.

“I will vote for a speaker who can articulate a constitutional vision for America and facilitate an inclusive and orderly legislative process that allows Congress to truly reflect the will of the people.”

Rep. Mark Meadows published this message to social media: “After hearing from the fine people of NC with the desire to change the status quo, I cast my vote for a new direction in Leadership.”

Scott Rigell, representative for the state of Virginia, posted to his website this statement: “Today, the first session of the 114th Congress began and Representative John A. Boehner (OH-08) was elected to his third term as Speaker of the House. Under his leadership, the House has reduced overall discretionary spending by more than $300 billion since FY 2010, and I am hopeful there will be continued progress in the 114th Congress. Speaker Boehner has served the House well and will continue to do so with great integrity.

“For Speaker, I cast my vote for Representative Daniel Webster of Florida, with whom I have served in Congress since 2011. Dan previously served as Speaker of the House in the Florida legislature. I voted for Dan because of his dedication to reforming the institutional dysfunction in Congress and his devotion to returning this body to regular order. Since I arrived in Congress I have advocated for the House to remain in session and not enter summer recess until our 12 appropriations bills have been brought to the House floor for a vote. Congressman Webster shares this commitment and I believe his leadership was worthy of my vote. Although no one individual can force an organization as complex and entrenched as the House to pivot sharply, I believed Congressman Webster was up to the challenge to enact meaningful reforms in the House of Representatives.”

Rep. Marlin Stutzman wrote on Facebook, “Today, I supported Congressman Daniel Webster of Florida for Speaker of the House. He earned my vote because he is a man of strong character, great intelligence, and I trust his judgment. Now that the vote is over, I am looking forward to working with all of my colleagues in the 114th Congress to put forward a common sense conservative agenda that will tackle our problems and strengthen America both at home and abroad.

In his official statement after the vote, Rep. Randy Weber said, “Today, I voted according to my constituents wishes in the race for Speaker of the House. I voted for Representative Louie Gohmert of Texas. While unsuccessful, I hope that it sends a signal that we must take this President to task. The Leadership must recognize, in light of the recent elections, we need to be more forceful in fighting this President and his Liberal agenda.”

Is your representative among the 25 who stood up against the GOP establishment? Contact them and share your thoughts on their vote against Boehner:

• Justin Amash (MI-3) Twitter: @repjustinamash Facebook: Justin Amash

• Ted Yoho (FL-3) Twitter: @RepTedYoho Facebook: Ted Yoho

• Dan Webster (FL-10) Twitter: @RepWebster Facebook: Daniel Webster

• Randy Weber (TX-14) Twitter: @TXRandy14 Facebook: Randy Weber

• Marlin Stutzman (IN-3) Twitter: @RepStutzman Facebook: Marlin Stutzman

• Scott Rigell (VA-2) Twitter: @RepScottRigell Facebook: Scott Rigell

• Mark Meadows (NC-11) Twitter: @RepMarkMeadows Facebook: Mark Meadows

• Thomas Massie (KY-4) Twitter: @RepThomasMassie Facebook: Thomas Massie

• Rod Blum (IA-1) Twitter: @BlumforCongress Facebook: Rod Blum 2014

• Steve King (IA-4) Twitter: @SteveKingIA Facebook: Steve King

• Walter Jones (NC-3) Twitter: @RepWalterJones Facebook: Walter Jones

• Paul Gosar (AZ-4) Twitter: @RepGosar Facebook: Paul Gosar

• Gary Palmer (AL-6) Twitter: @Palmer4Alabama Facebook: Gary Palmer

• Bill Posey (FL-8) Twitter: @congbillposey Facebook: Bill Posey

• Richard Nugent (FL-11) Twitter: @RepRichNugent Facebook: Richard B. Nugent

• Brian Babin (TX-36) Twitter: @Babin4Congress Facebook: Dr. Brian Babin

• Tim Huelskamp (KS-1) Twitter: @CongHuelskamp Facebook: Tim Huelskamp

• Dave Brat (VA-7) Twitter: @DaveBratVA7th Facebook: Dave Brat

• Scott Garrett (NJ-5) Twitter: @RepGarrett Facebook: Scott Garrett

• Chris Gibson (NY-19) Twitter: @RepChrisGibson Facebook: Congressman Chris Gibson

• Louie Gohmert (TX-1) Twitter: @replouiegohmert Facebook: Louie Gohmert

• Jim Bridenstine (OK-1) Twitter: @RepJBridenstine Facebook: Congressman Jim Bridenstine

• Curt Clawson (FL-19) Twitter: @RepCurtClawson Facebook: Rep. Curt Clawson

• Scott DesJarlais (TN-4) Twitter: @DesJarlaisTN04 Facebook: Scott DesJarlais

Jeff Duncan (SC-3) Twitter: @RepJeffDuncan Facebook: Congressman Jeff Duncan

Sources:

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