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As this new Congress begins, 435 representatives from across this nation will gather for the 114^th time as the most directly-elected representatives of Americans.

The electorate spoke, and the majority of our Congress now represents the common sense conservativism our nation needs to grow the economy and make government more efficient.

Our first order of business is to elect the Speaker of the House. This is a tough, thankless job, and the conservatives in the House recognize that fact. Over the last four years, our conservative agenda has been blocked by President Obama and Senator Harry Reid at every turn.

I’ve heard from many of you and your thoughts about our next Speaker, and understand your frustration. This is a tough, thankless job, and the conservatives in the House recognize that fact.

I plan to cast my vote for fellow Ohioan John Boehner to be Speaker in part to ensure we start this historic session as a united conservative front. When we are divided, liberals see opportunity. The Speaker and all of us are obligated to advance our conservative vision as we hold the House and Senate for the first time in nearly a decade.

Let’s remember:

• Conservative Jeb Hensarling has said he’s not interested in being Speaker.
• Conservative Raul Labrador said “I don’t see much of a challenge mounting and I suspect that there won’t be a challenge”
• And conservative Mick Mulvaney stated he “absolutely” plans to back Boehner for another term.

In fact, when the Republican Conference considered this issue a few weeks ago, not one of our 230+ members stepped forward as an alternative candidate to the current Speaker. At that time, my friend and fellow conservative Trey Gowdy delivered the nominating speech for John Boehner!

I respect those who recently announced their candidacy and their conservative principles, but their last minute entries do not provide direction or a thoughtful, conservative plan of action for our new Congress. No one offered themselves as an alternative in November when House Republicans gathered to specifically discuss this issue. Just as we have concerns about bills brought to the floor within 72 hours, there should also be adequate time to consider a candidate for a job that is third in line for President.

Someone who wants this position of national leadership ought to spend months developing a plan, should travel the country to talk directly to people like the conservatives I represent in Southwest Ohio, and should have a rationale for support beyond just being someone different.

I didn’t come to Congress to be against everything. I came to Washington to help solve our nation’s most pressing problems and move us in a more conservative direction. I take Ronald Reagan’s cheerful conservatism to heart. His entire outlook reminded us to attract voters with our hopes and our plans and not threaten them with our anger and our fears.

I understand the frustration out there.  Conservative change on the big issues is not happening quickly enough.  I feel it too. My first vote of this new Congress is not going to be a futile vote to express that frustration that burns conservative political capital before we even begin to tackle the policies that affect Ohioans. The path to successfully implementing conservative policy victories is not a circular firing squad.

I agree when Matt Lewis says that while “there is a notion that conservatives fit into one of two camps [...] there is a third type of person, and that is one who believes in doing big, bold things, but wants to prudently pick his battles.” He voices a concern of many, that “engaging in yet another fool’s errand could […] appear disorganized and incompetent, ultimately serving to undermine future efforts.”

Can you imagine the field day the mainstream media would have with the first Republican congress in nearly a decade shooting itself in the foot rather than finally using the full weight of Congress to push back against President Obama’s policies from the last 6 years? The fact is that over the next 2 years, President Obama will be the biggest obstruction blocking the reforms America needs, not any single Republican member in the House of Representatives.

I refuse to forfeit the voice of the American people to either the news elite or Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic minority. The fight I want is with the White House, whose destructive policies have skirted the law for the past 6 years to the benefit of a few East Coast elites, but at the expense of America’s heartland. The new American majority has the right solutions to restore America’s standing and strength in the world, from fueling our energy revolution to real tax reform to toppling the bureaucratic leviathan, but we won’t get there if we succumb to palace intrigue.

Let’s not weaken the position and importance of the House of Representatives. This great House is the voice of the people, and we cannot afford to have our role diminished. We are facing tough decisions regarding our country’s future, and I need to be as strong a voice as possible for you and the other people I represent.

This is Congress’s first opportunity since 1994 to present a united agenda of the common sense conservative reform that our nation needs. We can’t squander the moment. Please pray for us as the newly-elected American majority gets to work.