Dozens of House Republicans acknowledged the plan on Friday after the closed-door meeting where Boehner (R-Ohio) made the bombshell announcement that he’ll resign as speaker at the end of October.
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“He has given selflessly and tirelessly of his energy, and I would think every Republican would be grateful to him for his contributions to and leadership of not only our great party, but also the U.S. House of Representatives”.
“I am confident that with the Speaker’s resignation, our conference will come out of this stronger, more united and more effective”, Zeldin said in a statement. “We are elected to put our country first, and I believe that is exactly what Speaker Boehner did today”.
Bishop said Boehner, 65, respected the institution.
Quigley said it’s too soon to tell how a new speaker might impact the gridlock on Capitol Hill. There is another possibility for Hensarling, however-if McCarthy replaces Boehner as Speaker of the House, that will leave a vacancy for House Majority Leader, which could be filled by Hensarling.
Hibbing said next week’s debate over Planned Parenthood funding and a potential government shutdown likely factored in the speaker’s decision.
Former Indiana Rep. David McIntosh, who used to represent Messer’s district and now heads the conservative Club for Growth, said House Republicans have strayed from limited government principles and it’s time for a change.
Pelosi, who has been the top House Democrat opposite Boehner at the negotiating table since Boehner took the helm of the House GOP caucus in 2007, called Boehner a “very fine person”. “I wish John all the best in this next chapter of life”, said U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette.
The two leaders have found themselves on opposite sides of a number of fights during Obama’s administration and Boehner’s tenure, but Obama said despite the political disagreements, Boehner always conducted himself with “courtesy” and “civility”. The 13-term Ohio Republican is second in line to the presidency and has served as speaker since January 2011.
Chances are, Congress will get even less done in Mr. Boehner’s absence than it has with him leading the House for the past five years. Some Republicans say they’d prefer Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, who has said he doesn’t want the job.
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The fourth-generation Kern County resident started his own business, a deli, at the age of 21 and graduated from Cal State Bakersfield with both a bachelors degree and a master of business administration.
