House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy: I intend to lead

 House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) gives us his weekly view from Capitol Hill. In his own words:

 "As I humbly assumed the post of Majority Leader, the values enshrined in me by our community will serve as my daily guidance. I understand that we must have the courage to lead and the wisdom to listen.
"The American people are frustrated. We must raise the banner high for a society of prosperity and opportunity that isn’t given by government but rather is earned by a free and exceptional people.
 "As your Congressman and Majority Leader, that is how I intend to lead.
 "This week, I was honored that my pastor Roger Spradlin from Valley Baptist Church accepted my invitation and travelled to Washington D.C. to

give the invocation on the House floor yesterday. Let us all be inspired by his words:
 Father, we thank You for Your sovereignty and providence in each person’s life who sits before me, and more importantly, before You.  Grant them today Your guidance in their deliberations.
 We acknowledge that our country is facing serious challenges, and that our world is in crisis.  Give this body the courage that is necessary to lead.  Rather than allowing our ideology to further divide us may you, Father, unite us in our shared love for this great nation.
 Give the members the wisdom to help the oppressed and the weakest among us, as well as the courage to lead by conviction rather than by mere pragmatism.
 Concerning our failures, rather than justice we ask for your mercy and grace.  Give us the will to acknowledge and to repent of all wrongs.
 We thank You for the values upon which our country was founded and for Your continued blessing.  We ask that our best days would not be behind us but before us.
 We ask all in the strong name of Jesus.
 Amen