CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
Nov. 20, 2008 – 8:05 p.m.
GOP Freshmen Choose Buckeye Austria
By Michael Teitelbaum, CQ Staff
The newly elected House Republican freshmen on Thursday selected Rep.-elect Steve Austria of Ohio to be president of their class in the 111th Congress.
They also picked Rep.-elect Gregg Harper of Mississippi to be their representative on the Steering Committee and Rep.-elect Jason Chaffetz of Utah to serve on the Policy Committee.
Austria, a nine-year state lawmaker, will hold the seat being vacated by the retirement of Republican Rep. David L. Hobson .
The president of the current Republican freshman class is Bill Sali of Idaho, who lost this year to Democrat Walt Minnick.
Harper, who will take over the House seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Charles W. “Chip” Pickering, Jr., will sit on the panel in charge of apportioning committee assignments.
Chaffetz will sit on a committee which acts like a “think tank,” developing policies for the caucus.
Comments
Chaffetz was elected to represent the 21 new GOP freshmen on the House Republican Policy Committee. "The policy committee is the coordinating point for the Republican voice, the Republican side of the aisle," Chaffetz said. "To be a freshman and be on it is important to Utah, and to me personally." House Republican leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said, "This was an excellent choice by our freshman members. Jason Chaffetz is an energetic new voice in our conference for the principles of fiscal discipline and limited government. In this post, he'll be able to make an immediate impact as House Republicans develop principled solutions to the challenges facing the American people." Chaffetz added, "My entire candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives was based upon the need to return to core conservative principles. Policy, not big money, is what propelled me to office. I look forward to representing the views of the freshman class."
Chafettz? Seriously? The badly beaten GOP chooses a guy who wants to put illegal immigrants in WWII style internment camps with barbed wire fences? Sadly we here in UT-3 were given the options of three horribly inadequate candidates from three parties. I never thought I'd miss Chris Cannon, but I do.
When was the last time that a "freshmen class president" of either party lost her or his bid for a second term before that "idiot's idiot"?
Randi, it's too bad you don't actually go read/listen to what Jason actually said. He never said "tent city" - that was said by his opponents. He said he supported detention facilities (like the WGA) for the some 600,000 fugitive aliens who have been convicted of a crime AND are here illegally AND have been told to self-deport. He also said that he liked Joe Arapio's idea, then Jason quoted Joe and said that "If it's good enough for our troops, it's good enough for our prisoners". I know people just like to bash on Jason, but at least have the decency to bash him for his actual positions, not something made up and spread by the opposition. :) More than 2/3 of us in the third congressional district are delighted to have someone like Jason representing us. He'll do great in DC and it's no surprise he got one of the only "leadership" roles for the freshman class.
The angry left is still hateful people Go to church you people need it
Randi, You actually bought the democrat's line? The internment camp idea was not Jason's. It was a failed smear attempt by a desperate democrat, who had no chance and no funding. There are people that want to round up all 12 million illegals, and are mad that Jason DOESN'T want to do that. Jason only wanted facilities where the government wouldn't have to catch and release felons. There are 600,000 they have let go. We wouldn't have to build facilities for that many, as we just need a temporary facility for convicted criminals, to be held prior to deportation.
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