Two heavyweight House Republicans endorsed Georgia Rep. Tom Price for Majority Leader on Monday.
“Tom Price is a committed conservative and a good friend,” Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan said in a Monday statement. “He and I have served for years together on the Budget and Ways and Means Committees, working to pay down our debt, fix our tax code, and grow our economy. Tom has a proven record of advancing conservative solutions and principles. He has the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective Majority Leader, and I’m proud to support him.”
Ryan’s endorsement comes hot on the heels of that of Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling, who until Monday was also considering a possible bid for Leader.
Assuming that current Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is elected Speaker, Price will still face stiff competition for the No. 2 House GOP position. Majority Whip Steve Scalise and Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers have also declared their candidacy.