Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind. District 6, says John Boehner's successor as House speaker needs to find a way to unite Republicans.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is widely expected to take Boehner's place.
Messer says House Republicans need to focus on priorities such as balancing the budget, boosting the economy and opposing what he calls "overreach" by President Obama.
Messer, who currently ranks fifth in House leadership, says House Republicans need to find common ground.
He says some of the frustration among the caucus's most conservative members stems from the tight control the speaker and committee chairmen have historically exerted over what gets voted on.
"This soap opera doesn't inspire anybody," he says. "We've got to acknowledge why the problem occurred, and that's why the American people are frustrated and their members reflect that. Then we've got figure out a path forward that brings our coalition together."
Messer says he would consider running for House conference chair if Boehner's departure creates a domino effect in House leadership.