Though a relative newcomer to Washington, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) is already situating himself as a rising leader in the Republican Party and very likely beyond the House chamber.

The second-term lawmaker challenged Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) for the No. 3 position in House GOP leadership in November and then mounted a bid against Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for House speaker just weeks later. Though he lost both contests, the moves illustrate where Donalds's sights are set as he raises his profile nationally.

He impressed attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he delivered a speech filled with aspirational rhetoric about political tolerance and his vision of a country "where all thoughts and all viewpoints" are allowed to flourish. He also demonstrated an ease in front of the crowd, breaking the ice as he walked onstage and riffing with the audience about his favorite football team.

His speech on Friday touted the House's plans for the next two years now that Republicans have assumed the majority and dismissed concerns that Republicans could not govern after the turmoil of the speaker's race. "We're just getting warmed up. But what you have seen so far is House Republicans holding this administration accountable," he told the crowd.