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Nearly 20 leading Republicans are urging their colleagues to refrain from making any rash decisions after the surprise exit of Kevin McCarthy from the speakership race on Thursday.

In a letter sent to GOP lawmakers, the Republicans, including Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan, and Reps. Jeff Miller, Peter Roskam and Lynn Jenkins, said the conference needs to reevaluate its message and agenda before selecting a new leader – and lawmakers need to keep their powder dry as members scramble to find an electable speaker.

“We would ask that Members not commit to a determinative course of action before our Conference can meet and find a shared set of goals and governing vision that benefits the nation and our constituents,” the lawmakers wrote.

McCarthy took himself out of contention for the speakership during a closed-door GOP meeting on Thursday.

The lawmakers said there needs to be a “thorough review of the processes and procedures that guide our conference and the House.”

“Too often decisions are made in a 24/7 news cycle where people do not have full information, have not fully considered the consequences of action or inaction, and Members are locked into a position that may very well change based on future circumstances,” the Republicans wrote.

Other signatories include Rep. Bill Shuster, the chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Virginia Foxx, the conference secretary, Rep. Devin Nunes, the chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/the-gavel/2015/10/house-republicans-keep-calm-214581#ixzz3o4n6lWo5