Former House GOP leader Bob Michel dies at 93

Robert Michel, the former House Republican leader who helped push President Reagan’s agenda through Congress, died Feb 17 at 93. Michel first took office in 1957 and spent nearly four decades in the House, before being replaced as the House GOP leader by conservative firebrand Newt Gingrich in 1994. The Illinois congressman was known for his affinity for consensus-building, rather than obstructionism. Through bipartisan cooperation, especially with former Democratic House Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, Michel helped steer Reagan’s agenda of cuts to taxes and social welfare programs through the House.