GOP leaders look for Scalise flap to blow over

FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2014 file photo, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La., right, with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., left, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, following a House GOP caucus meeting. Scalise acknowledged that he once addressed a gathering of white supremacists. Scalise served in the Louisiana Legislature when he appeared at a 2002 convention of the European-American Unity and Rights Organization. Now he is the third-highest ranked House Republican in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2014 file photo, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La., right, with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., left, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, following a House GOP caucus meeting. Scalise acknowledged that he once addressed a gathering of white supremacists. Scalise served in the Louisiana Legislature when he appeared at a 2002 convention of the European-American Unity and Rights Organization. Now he is the third-highest ranked House Republican in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

By Associated Press December 31, 2014 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Republican leaders have been supportive of Louisiana congressman Steve Scalise since the revelation that he appeared before a white supremacist organization 12 years ago, suggesting they think the flare-up will fade.

Scalise is the Republican whip in the House. He says he regrets making the speech in 2002 and condemns the views of such groups. He says that as a state legislator he spoke to many groups at that time.

Republican leaders defended Scalise within minutes of his statement Tuesday.

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio says Scalise “made an error in judgment” and was right to acknowledge it was inappropriate. Boehner says Scalise has his full confidence as the GOP whip.

several Democrats have criticized Scalise but have issued no calls for his resignation.