Political Insider

Tom Price eyes Majority Leader run

U.S. Rep. Tom Price, right, talks with a fellow republican during the first day of candidate qualifying in the House and Senate Chambers at the State Capitol Wednesday morning in Atlanta, Ga., May 23, 2012. The republican party was qualifying in the House and the democratic party was qualifying in the Senate. JASON GETZ / JGETZ@AJC.COM Five years after landmark ethics reforms restricted travel for members of congress funded by outside groups, that kind of travel is back on the rise -- and ethics advocates say it's because interest groups are exploiting a loophole that allows them to form an affiliated charitable arm to fund the trips. Two of the biggest are a trip to Israel affiliated with a powerful pro-Israel lobby and a yearly congressional retreat funded by the conservative Heritage Foundation. The groups and members say these trips are important educational experiences. Advocates for tighter ethics regulations say they are another opportunity for special interest access. Look in detail about where the Georgia delegation is going and who's paying. Can break those numbers out with a box. Tops in the delegation for outside-funded trips are freshman Republican Rep. Austin Scott, at around $75,000, and Democrat Rep. Hank Johnson, at $68,000, in trips for themselves and staff members since January 2011. Health Secretary Tom Price. (AJC file)
U.S. Rep. Tom Price, right, talks with a fellow republican during the first day of candidate qualifying in the House and Senate Chambers at the State Capitol Wednesday morning in Atlanta, Ga., May 23, 2012. The republican party was qualifying in the House and the democratic party was qualifying in the Senate. JASON GETZ / JGETZ@AJC.COM Five years after landmark ethics reforms restricted travel for members of congress funded by outside groups, that kind of travel is back on the rise -- and ethics advocates say it's because interest groups are exploiting a loophole that allows them to form an affiliated charitable arm to fund the trips. Two of the biggest are a trip to Israel affiliated with a powerful pro-Israel lobby and a yearly congressional retreat funded by the conservative Heritage Foundation. The groups and members say these trips are important educational experiences. Advocates for tighter ethics regulations say they are another opportunity for special interest access. Look in detail about where the Georgia delegation is going and who's paying. Can break those numbers out with a box. Tops in the delegation for outside-funded trips are freshman Republican Rep. Austin Scott, at around $75,000, and Democrat Rep. Hank Johnson, at $68,000, in trips for themselves and staff members since January 2011. Health Secretary Tom Price. (AJC file)
By Daniel Malloy
Sept 25, 2015

WASHINGTON -- In the wake of the surprise resignation of Speaker John Boehner, Rep. Tom Price, R-Roswell, is making moves toward a run for Majority Leader.

We're told that Price has asked members of the Georgia delegation not to endorse anyone for top leadership posts until speaking with him. A Price spokesman declined comment on any leadership campaign. Price had this to say about Boehner in a formal statement:

"Speaker John Boehner has served the House of Representatives with honor. He has served at a time of tremendous challenges, and he has always maintained an admirable and healthy sense of purpose and perspective. I thank John and his family for that service, and wish them well in the days ahead."

The current Majority Leader, Kevin McCarthy of California, is seen as the front-runner to succeed Boehner as speaker. The Ohioan plans to formally resign Oct. 30.

First elected in 2004, Price serves as head of the House Budget Committee. He ran for the fourth-ranking GOP leadership post in late 2012 but lost the race to Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Coweta County, quickly endorsed McCarthy for speaker and said he already had multiple calls from people seeking the majority leader post. When asked if one of those was from Price, he smiled and shrugged.

Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, said he had not heard directly from Price but acknowledged that a leadership bid was coming from the ambitious budget chairman.

"Certainly the fact that he’s from Georgia ...it will be discussed" among the delegation, Scott said.

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