Dan Webster Promises to Work With John Boehner

After his last-minute bid to oust U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, fell short on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Fla., insisted he launched his effort to ensure Republicans pushed a principled agenda in Congress.

This afternoon, several members of the Republican conference voted for me to be speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. I am humbled by their confidence in me as a leader who would articulate and execute a principled agenda at such a critical time for our party, system of government and nation, Webster said on Tuesday. To be sure, my candidacy and vote was not a vote against personalities, policies or even John Boehner. It was a vote for initiating a process that I know can produce sound public policy for the people who sent us to Washington on their behalf.

As I have shared with the leadership team, I will continue to advocate for a more open, member-driven and productive process, one that places principle above power. The process by which we have come to legislate as elected representatives of the people has become flawed, and a flawed process will always produce a flawed product, Webster added. I offer my sincerest congratulations to Speaker Boehner on his re-election as speaker of the House. He is a personal friend who I have come to know and admire during my tenure in the House and I pledge to work alongside him. With leadership elections behind us, and a willing partner in the Senate, our conference is united in reforming the way Washington works, opening up our government and advancing pro-growth, principled solutions.