Representative Dave Schweikert of Arizona, who recently lost his seat on the Financial Services committee, is settling his differences with Speaker John Boehner.
In a closed-door meeting this afternoon at the Capitol, Schweikert and Boehner discussed the steering committee’s decision to oust him from his post. Schweikert told Boehner that he is unhappy with how leadership handled his removal, and that he is eager to move on.
“I don’t think the speaker’s hands are dirty,” Schweikert explained in an interview with National Review Online. “I simply want to get back to work, stay true to my principles, and keep laboring in the field. This bullying has been unpleasant, but this too shall pass.”
Schweikert, who was first elected in 2010, is one of four conservative House members who lost their preferred committee positions earlier this month. Since then, Schweikert says, he has been “inspired” by the support he has received from conservative activists.
“Look, this is big-boy politics,” Schweikert says. “My concern is about the future. I don’t want to be punished for voting with my constituency, and I want to contribute to the debate. My message to leadership is, ‘Let me know how I can work with you to do those things.’”
“I have no intention of letting people eat me alive,” he adds. “I’m not going to retreat from the scene because I lost my seat on the committee. I want to be judged on my work product, not on where I stand inside the conference when it comes to leadership.”