House

Dick Cheney makes appearance on Capitol Hill

Former Vice President Dick Cheney dropped by the Capitol on Wednesday as both major parties elected members to leadership positions for the next session of Congress.

Cheney did not stop to talk with reporters to discuss the reason for his visit, but his daughter, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), is running for House Republican Conference chair. The former vice president held the same position when he served in the House more than three decades ago.

{mosads}Reporters shared photos and video of Cheney, who donned a cowboy hat, walking through the halls of the Capitol.

Liz Cheney is expected to be elected to the position on Wednesday, as she is running unopposed.

Current House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) announced she wouldn’t seek a second term in leadership last week, shortly after Cheney announced she planned to challenge the Washington Republican. A number of top Republicans have backed Cheney’s bid for the position.

In a letter to colleagues announcing her candidacy for the position, Cheney said Republicans need to improve and “modernize” their messaging, and “own the daily news cycles.” She cautioned that Democrats are likely to use their new majority in the House to launch investigations into the White House, and that the GOP should be prepared to issue immediate rebuttals and defenses.