Vinny Montez

NEWS 28 - President Jay Laylin and the late former House Speaker Vinny Montez had a complicated relationship that formed into one of the greatest bipartisan friendships in Jesstopian history.

Experts say that President Laylin, then just a junior senator, had publicly criticized Montez early into his first year as House Speaker. He called his methods of leading the house unethical and idiotic. This grew great backlash from the Nationalists, who saw then-Senator Laylin's common irresponsibility. But even through the black smoke, he was able to forge what would be one of the strongest bipartisan friendships in Congress.

"When President Laylin joined the Senate back in 2011, he had quickly poised himself to be a anti-Nationalist senator, oftentimes working against the Nationalists on almost everything they pushed for a vote," said Nick McNamara, a Political historian. "But then came Victor Montez. Something clicked with Laylin, and he approached Montez. When Senators met for a session, Laylin was noticeably absent. It was later revealed that he had been speaking with Montez and had run 2 hours late. That was the start of their strong friendship. As to what they spoke about, that remains unknown."

Other Representatives and Senators who served at the time that Montez was Speaker say that they forged a strong friendship through mutual interests including on issues such as human suffering, humanitarian crisis’ as well as the famine that had ravaged parts of Africa back in the 2010s.

“President Laylin’s relationship with former Speaker Montez sparked from a mutual respect for the work they wanted to accomplish,” said Representative Fredrick DeMont. “They grew close as the worked to push through humanitarian aid to Africa.”

RUFUS - Former House Speaker Vinny Montez, served as the 29th Speaker of the House from 2009 until 2016. Early this morning he passed and President Jay Laylin issued a touching tribute to the former Representative-turned Speaker. It is being revealed that they have had a very friendly relationship even tracing back to Laylin's Senate days. But experts say it hasn't always been that way and it was a complicated relationship at the beginning.

Experts say that President Laylin, then just a junior senator, had publicly criticized Montez early into his first year as House Speaker. He called his methods of leading the house unethical and idiotic. This grew great backlash from the Nationalists, who saw then-Senator Laylin's common irresponsibility. But even through the black smoke, he was able to forge what would be one of the strongest bipartisan friendships in Congress.

"When President Laylin joined the Senate back in 2011, he had quickly poised himself to be a anti-Nationalist senator, oftentimes working against the Nationalists on almost everything they pushed for a vote," said Nick McNamara, a Political historian. "But then came Victor Montez. Something clicked with Laylin, and he approached Montez. When Senators met for a session, Laylin was noticeably absent. It was later revealed that he had been speaking with Montez and had run 2 hours late. That was the start of their strong friendship. As to what they spoke about, that remains unknown."

Other Representatives and Senators who served at the time that Montez was Speaker say that they forged a strong friendship through mutual interests including on issues such as human suffering, humanitarian crisis’ as well as the famine that had ravaged parts of Africa back in the 2010s.

“President Laylin’s relationship with former Speaker Montez sparked from a mutual respect for the work they wanted to accomplish,” said Representative Fredrick DeMont. “They grew close as the worked to push through humanitarian aid to Africa.”

NEWS 28 - President Jay Laylin issued, what some would call, a very emotional and touching statement on the passing of former Speaker Vinny Montez who died this morning. The two shared a strong friendship and that was reflected in the president's touching tribute.

In his speech, he reflected on their friendship, his fierce but kind heart and his dedication to god, family and country. The president was praised by critics for honoring the late Speaker, who was a Nationalist Party. Members of both families expressed how deeply their friendship runs, and shows that their is some common ground in being kind to one another, regardless of political party.

"Today, I sadly have had to extend the half staff flag order until the internment of former House Speaker and my dear friend Vinny Montez who died while asleep. My heart and prayers go out to his incredibly warm and loving family, whom I've grown to admire and respect," wrote President Laylin. "Former Speaker Montez, played a key role in pushing for funding to support US operations to catch Osama Bin Laden. His dedication to ensure that the victims of 9/11 got the justice they truly deserved, led many people in the House and Senate, to attract to him. He was a kind, funny and loving man, who cared deeply for his constituents, his country and more importantly his family."

President Laylin had grown a close relationship with Montez during his early years in the Senate. He often worked side by side with the House Speaker, and their friendship grew stronger as Laylin became more popular as the Senate Minority Leader.

"Former Speakers across our nation's expansive history have done different things since leaving office, but Vinny Montez dedicated his-post Congressional days working with kids across the country, who were underserved and who were abandoned by their government," continued the statement. "He personally funded after school programs for at-risk youth. His life long dedication to service and public life and to country and family, has granted him a special place in the hearts of all Jesstopians regardless of political affiliation."

Montez had asked President Laylin to cosponsor several bills aimed at targeting homelessness and violence in underserved communities across the country, which helped with reducing the number of teens and young adults living on the streets.

"As we mourn this great man, we remember the actions he took while serving as Speaker. We remember the dedication to the people of long-forgotten communities, and the Speaker who had done so much to better the lives of Jesstopians across this country. His death rips a huge hole in the fabric of our nation's values, as he not only upheld those values, but lived them day in and out. Kelly and I can't express how sad we are hearing of his passing. At this point, the family is asking for privacy as they mourn. Funeral plans are at the wishes of the family. They did confirm that he would lay in state at the Capitol. Those plans are being worked on with the families help," the president's statement continued. "Vinny, you will be truly missed and may you, your should and your kindness rest at peace, and may you be granted entry into god's home. God bless you, thank you for your service and thank you being a fair, kind and loving friend. Rest easy."

The President is expected to visit the Capitol building where he will pay his respects. The President didn't confirm if he would speak at Montez's funeral, but several family members have offered an invitation for him to be there. It is likely that he will make a speech for Montez.

"We send our sincerest thanks to the president for his comments," said a member of the family. "Montez and Laylin had one of the strongest friendships among congressmembers, and Laylin visited us often. For those that want to call him out for caring deeply for our father, you are sick. They were great friends and I know that his death has hurt the president."

RUFUS - President Jay Laylin early this morning issued a statement on the death of former House Speaker Vinny Montez, who died at the age of 75. The president sent his sincerest condolences to the Montez family, whom he had grew a strong relationship with over the duration of his Senate career.

In his speech, he reflected on their friendship, his fierce but kind heart and his dedication to god, family and country. The president was praised by critics for honoring the late Speaker, who was a Nationalist Party.

"Today, I sadly have had to extend the half staff flag order until the internment of former House Speaker and my dear friend Vinny Montez who died while asleep. My heart and prayers go out to his incredibly warm and loving family, whom I've grown to admire and respect," wrote President Laylin. "Former Speaker Montez, played a key role in pushing for funding to support US operations to catch Osama Bin Laden. His dedication to ensure that the victims of 9/11 got the justice they truly deserved, led many people in the House and Senate, to attract to him. He was a kind, funny and loving man, who cared deeply for his constituents, his country and more importantly his family."

President Laylin had grown a close relationship with Montez during his early years in the Senate. He often worked side by side with the House Speaker, and their friendship grew stronger as Laylin became more popular as the Senate Minority Leader.

"Former Speakers across our nation's expansive history have done different things since leaving office, but Vinny Montez dedicated his-post Congressional days working with kids across the country, who were underserved and who were abandoned by their government," continued the statement. "He personally funded after school programs for at-risk youth. His life long dedication to service and public life and to country and family, has granted him a special place in the hearts of all Jesstopians regardless of political affiliation."

Montez had asked President Laylin to cosponsor several bills aimed at targeting homelessness and violence in underserved communities across the country, which helped with reducing the number of teens and young adults living on the streets.

"As we mourn this great man, we remember the actions he took while serving as Speaker. We remember the dedication to the people of long-forgotten communities, and the Speaker who had done so much to better the lives of Jesstopians across this country. His death rips a huge hole in the fabric of our nation's values, as he not only upheld those values, but lived them day in and out. Kelly and I can't express how sad we are hearing of his passing. At this point, the family is asking for privacy as they mourn. Funeral plans are at the wishes of the family. They did confirm that he would lay in state at the Capitol. Those plans are being worked on with the families help," the president's statement continued. "Vinny, you will be truly missed and may you, your should and your kindness rest at peace, and may you be granted entry into god's home. God bless you, thank you for your service and thank you being a fair, kind and loving friend. Rest easy."

The President is expected to visit the Capitol building where he will pay his respects. The President didn't confirm if he would speak at Montez's funeral, but several family members have offered an invitation for him to be there. It is likely that he will make a speech for Montez.

"We send our sincerest thanks to the president for his comments," said a member of the family. "Montez and Laylin had one of the strongest friendships among congressmembers, and Laylin visited us often. For those that want to call him out for caring deeply for our father, you are sick. They were great friends and I know that his death has hurt the president."

NEWS 28 - We have just received word that former House Speaker Vinny Montez, who served as speaker from 2009 until 2016 has died. He was 75 years and his family said that he had been suffering with cancer for the last 2 years.

"We are heartbroken at the passing of our dad," said Susan Montez-Loredo, Montez's eldest daughter. "We can't express the grief we are feeling right now. We ask for privacy as we navigate this loss, and we hope that our wishes are respected."

The Speaker played a crucial role during the 2012 raid of Osama Bin Laden, authorizing the additional resources to the Obama Administration, effectively allowing them to continue to push with finding and subsequently killing Bin Laden. He pushed for peace through various platforms, and sought justice for America after 9/11.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced but it has been confirmed that the former Speaker will lay in state at the Capitol, which was approved by Speaker Matthew Carrington.

RUFUS - Former House Of The People Speaker Vinny Montez has died at the age of 75 in his Oshana Oaks Home. The Montez served as the 29th Speaker Of The House from 2009 to 2016. According to his family, he had been suffering with a rare form of bone cancer since 2023.

"We are heartbroken at the passing of our dad," said Susan Montez-Loredo, Montez's eldest daughter. "We can't express the grief we are feeling right now. We ask for privacy as we navigate this loss, and we hope that our wishes are respected."

The Speaker played a crucial role during the 2012 raid of Osama Bin Laden, authorizing the additional resources to the Obama Administration, effectively allowing them to continue to push with finding and subsequently killing Bin Laden. He pushed for peace through various platforms, and sought justice for America after 9/11.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced but it has been confirmed that the former Speaker will lay in state at the Capitol, which was approved by Speaker Matthew Carrington.