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WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Waco, is running for House speaker, bringing with him decades of experience in the chamber and a record of winning seats for his party.
Sessions, 68, is still far from the favored candidate within the conference. Nine Republicans are running for the seat left vacant by the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. While there is no immediately obvious candidate who can secure the 217 votes needed, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota is the highest-ranking candidate and has McCarthy’s endorsement.
Sessions is the only Texan in the mix. House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington of Lubbock and House Small Business Chair Roger Williams of Willow Park expressed interest in running last week but ended up deciding against it.
On Monday evening, all candidates will present their arguments to their fellow Republicans in a forum. The Republican conference will then hold a vote on Tuesday morning to decide on their nominee. The chosen nominee will later have the opportunity to address the entire House, although the date for this event is yet to be determined.
Who is Sessions?
Of all the speaker candidates, Sessions has been in Congress the longest. He was first elected in 1996 to represent eastern Dallas and its suburbs but lost that seat in a competitive race against Rep. Colin Allred in 2018. He ran again the next cycle to represent the Waco-based 17th District and returned to Congress in January 2021.
Representing Waco was a homecoming for Sessions. He was born and raised in the city. His father, William Sessions, was FBI director during the 1993 Branch Davidian siege.
Sessions’ 2018 loss to Allred was a major upset during a wave of Democratic victories in swing districts that were largely a response to then-President Donald Trump. Allred’s supporters still highlight his victory that year as he runs against Sen. Ted Cruz this year.
However, Sessions has proven to be a winner as well. He successfully led the National Republican Congressional Committee, the party’s House campaign organization, during the 2010 elections, which resulted in the Republicans gaining control of the House. This victory was historic, as the party secured a net increase of 63 seats, setting a new record. The outcome of this election marked the rise of Tea Party-aligned Republicans who were determined to halt then-President Barack Obama’s agenda. Obama himself referred to the election as a “shellacking,” expressing his disappointment.
Despite being a former NRCC chair, Emmer was unable to replicate the same level of success seen in the previous midterm elections. The House speaker holds significant responsibility in providing support and resources to their party’s candidates.
From 2013 to 2019, Sessions served as the chairman of the House Rules Committee. Widely referred to as the “speaker’s committee,” this influential body holds the authority to determine which legislation is brought forward to the entire House and in what manner.
How has he voted on Texas priorities?
Sessions’ voting record is in line with most House conservatives. He voted against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, gun safety legislation led by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in the wake of the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde. He is also ardently against abortion and voted against legislation to codify same-sex marriage last year.
Despite being a fiscal hawk, Sessions opposed raising the debt ceiling last spring, even though it was essential to avoid a default on the nation’s debt. However, he did vote in favor of the temporary spending measure in September to ensure government funding and prevent a shutdown. This bill grants Congress an additional month to pass appropriations bills without compromising critical government services’ pay.
In addition to the majority of House Republicans, Sessions voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election. The only two speakership candidates, Emmer and Georgia’s Rep. Austin Scott, supported the certification of the election.
Sessions consistently aligned with his party on multiple significant bills this year, one of which is the Secure the Border Act. This legislation aims to fortify the border and impose more stringent consequences for unauthorized border crossings. The bill originated from a collaborative effort by the Texas Republican delegation and received their endorsement before being passed.
On Friday, Texas Democrats seized the opportunity to criticize Sessions’ voting history, portraying him as an extreme far-right individual incapable of collaborating with members from the opposite party.
“Sessions’s allegiance to the MAGA agenda has only hurt his constituents here in Texas,” the Texas Democratic Party said in a statement shortly after Sessions announced his speaker bid. “Over and over again – from the local to national level – MAGA Republicans in leadership have proven they are unwilling to meet the needs of the moment.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for Sessions expressed that the election of a Texas Republican would highlight the contrasting visions that each party has for America.
The statement highlights that Texas Democrats endorse an unrestricted southern border, whereas Republicans prioritize border security and enhanced national security. Congressman Sessions will address this crucial matter and uphold the Rule of Law.
What’s his pitch?
Sessions is putting a lot of effort into highlighting his accomplishments at the NRCC and the House Rules Committee during his campaign. In a letter addressed to his fellow Republicans, he emphasized that his experience leading these committees showcased his ability to unite a Republican conference that is divided and represents a wide range of ideologies.
Unifying the conference is a top priority for many Republicans, who view the extended speaker fight as a national embarrassment. Several Texas Republicans said they would back whoever could win and let the House get on with its business.
Sessions further underscored his unwavering conservative stance, highlighting his alignment with the party on crucial matters such as the Second Amendment, border security, and federal expenditure. He proudly referenced the 2010 red wave as evidence of his electoral prowess, a topic of great concern within the conference following the party’s lackluster gains last year and with a fiercely contested presidential election on the horizon.
In his letter, Sessions emphasized the importance of choosing a candidate who can secure a victory on the House floor, effectively lead conservative initiatives to address the challenges our nation is currently facing, and ultimately achieve an augmented majority in 2024. He emphasized the significance of proven accomplishments in this selection process.
Who is backing him?
As of now, there haven’t been any public endorsements for Sessions. The vast majority of Republicans have chosen to hold off on endorsing until the candidate’s forum on Monday night.
If Sessions manages to secure the support of the complete Texas delegation, his rankings would significantly improve. Among all states, Texas boasts the highest number of Republican members, and historically, Texans tend to unite and support one another.
But that may not happen this round. The delegation reflects the wide ideological spectrum within the party and has seen its share of centrist-ultraconservative feuding. When the party was split between House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Freedom Caucus Rep. Jim Jordan for its speaker nominee, Texans were divided between the two candidates as well. U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, announced Monday he was backing Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida.