Trey Gowdy’s 10-Word Response to Suggestions He Be Drafted as Next Majority Leader

Rep. Trey Gowdy strongly dismissed calls to draft him into Republican leadership, rattling off a 10-word response explaining that he preferred to stay on the House committee investigating the 2012 Benghazi attacks.

“I am staying on the Benghazi committee, period, exclamation point,” the conservative firebrand said before a vote, according to The Washington Post.

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Throughout the day, Gowdy's name had been tossed in the air as a possible candidate for majority leader.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said on Fox News Tuesday morning that Gowdy would be the "best person to talk about why conservatism is the right answer for America," The Post reported.

Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah) echoed Chaffetz, arguing the South Carolina congressman and former prosecutor would "unite the party and the people around a truly American agenda."

Gowdy, however, maintained throughout the day he wanted to continue investigating the deadly attacks on the American Embassy in Benghazi.

“One hundred percent I am staying on the Benghazi committee," he said in one interview, according to The Post, adding that he couldn't simultaneously carry out the responsibilities that come with each of those positions.

The position of majority leader is up in the air after Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced last week that he would resign at the end of October. Current Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has said he will run for speaker, leaving the position open for someone else.

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