Rep. John Diehl Elected Majority Floor Leader

The following information was provided in a Missouri House of Representatives news release.

A day after Missourians voted in the largest number of Republican House members in state history, members of the majority met in the State Capitol to elect state Rep. John J. Diehl, Jr. to serve as Majority Floor Leader for the 97th General Assembly. Diehl, who previously served as chairman of the House Rules Committee, will take on the duties of the position when the House convenes for the 2013 legislative session in January. He replaces state Rep. Tim Jones, R-Eureka, who now serves as Speaker of the House. 

After being selected by a majority of the 110-member Republican caucus, Diehl said his focus in his new role will be on working closely with his colleagues to advance their priority issues through the House.

“I am honored that my colleagues have seen fit to entrust me with the immense responsibility of controlling the flow of legislation on the House floor. It’s a trust I will work to keep by listening to the needs of my fellow House members and working with them to ensure their top priorities make it through the process,” said Diehl, R-Town and Country.

As House Majority Floor Leader, Diehl will set the legislative calendar and determine which legislation makes it to the floor for debate and when.  The Majority Floor Leader also controls the flow of business on the House floor and is considered the second most powerful position in the Missouri House of Representatives. 

“With our historic majority in the House, we have the opportunity to do great things for Missouri families and businesses,” said Diehl. “I am excited to work with my friends and colleagues to put forward the kind of pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda the people of Missouri elected us to carry out.”

The 97th General Assembly will convene for the 2013 legislative session Jan. 9 at noon.