Scalise retains leadership position

Hazel Lee
November 15, 2018
Van Vark resigns as Nicholls volleyball coach
November 15, 2018
Hazel Lee
November 15, 2018
Van Vark resigns as Nicholls volleyball coach
November 15, 2018

U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise R-La has been elected as the Republican whip for the 116th Congress, a statement from his office released Wednesday says.

Scalise ran unopposed for the position. 


“I am honored that my colleagues have chosen me to be their Republican Whip for the 116th Congress. While the midterm election results were not what we hoped for, we must now sharpen our focus on reestablishing the conservative principles that are proven to help hard-working families have better opportunities to achieve the American Dream,” said Scalise, who had served as the House Majority Whip. Mid-term elections turned the House of Representatives majority Democratic, and so the title ‘majority whip” no longer applies.  “As Majority Whip, I worked hard to bring our conference together and build coalitions that advanced our pro-growth agenda, and I will bring that same fighting spirit and determination to this new role. Starting today, we must stand united every day as House Republicans to build a more safe and secure America, as we work to block a radical, leftist agenda that would reverse the gains we’ve made for hard-working families across America. I look forward to keep leading that charge along with President Trump and the rest of our House Leadership team.”

A whip is an official of a political party whose task is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. Whips are the party’s “enforcers”; they invite their fellow legislators to attend voting sessions and to vote according to the official party policy.

Scalise’s Democratic counterpart, Rep. Steny Hamilton Hoyer (D-Md.) has received a strong show of support from the 116th Congress’ new membership. In a letter sent Tuesday, 155 House Democrats from across their caucus, including a majority of the “freshman class,” signed a letter in support of Hoyer returning to his position.


In the letter, Members say: “We will need a steady, experienced leader over the next two years, who also works to empower our Members and prepare them for future leadership opportunities. We will need someone who will hold President Trump, his Administration, and Congressional Republicans accountable – while still being able to work effectively in a divided government to get legislation passed. It is for these reasons that we believe that Steny is the person we need as Majority Leader.”

Steve Scalise