House Republicans elect NY Rep. Elise Stefanik to No. 3 leadership post

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives elected Elise Stefanik of New York to their No. 3 leadership post, replacing Wyoming’s Liz Cheney.

This week, House Republicans approved to make Elisa Stefanik GOP Conference Chair Woman while deposing Liz Cheney from her seat. The final vote tally Friday was 134-46. Stefanik of New York was elected conference chair, to serve with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Cheney was ousted from the post by a voice vote Wednesday. Speaking Friday after the vote, Stefanik called herself a “proud, conservative Republican” who would help lead her party to victory in the midterm elections next year. “We are going on offense and we are going to win on the issues,” Stefanik said. “We are going to win the majority in 2022.”

Cheney was one of 10 Republicans in the House who voted Jan. 13 to impeach Trump. The Senate acquitted Trump in both impeachments. Trump endorsed Stefanik and blasted Cheney as “a bitter, horrible human being.” He also predicted she would lose her seat representing Wyoming, where Trump supporters are campaigning against her. After the leadership vote, Cheney said she would “do everything I can to ensure that the former president never again gets anywhere near the Oval Office.” She told the “Today” show if Trump wants to campaign against her, “bring it on.”