New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a potential 2016 GOP presidential contender, will be on Capitol Hill Monday afternoon to address the newly elected Republican House members.  

According to Rep. Candice S. Miller, R-Mich., — the chairwoman of the Committee on House Administration, which facilitates new member orientation — Christie was chosen to speak to the Republican members-elect because of his leadership in the party.  

“I couldn’t think of a better individual to come and address the new members, new Republican members,” Miller told CQ Roll Call Monday morning. “This is a man that is certainly not afraid to take on criticism, not afraid to lead. And I think that his message of smaller government, less government regulations, that sort of Republican message and the way that he delivers it, I think, will be very well received by the new Republican members.”  

Christie will be addressing the new lawmakers at a lunch in the Capitol, while the Democratic members-elect will dine with Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., the ranking member on the Budget Committee.  

When asked why Republicans chose the New Jersey governor, rather than a member of Congress, to address the new members, Miller pointed to Christie’s work during the midterm elections.  

“I saw the governor a couple of times on the campaign trail actually, he was in Michigan twice during the election, and he was sort of like a tsunami going across the nation and helping all these Republican governors,” said Miller. “And he just is a remarkable leader, as I say, and I think that his message is one that will be very well received by the new members.”  

Miller said there was no set topic for the luncheon with Christie. “I’m not quite sure what he’s going to say,” Miller said, “so we’re looking forward to his message.”  

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