But he got things done, pushing through controversial measures to avoid the 2013 “fiscal cliff” and other initiatives, often with Democratic help. Given the state of the Republican caucus in the House now, it is anything but clear whether Boehner’s successor will be able to maintain that priority.
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Florida Republican Representative John Mica told AP on Friday that Boehner “just does not want to become the issue” as hardline conservatives inside the Republican Party launch a challenge to his leadership.
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, another Chicago Democrat, praised Boehner for resisting more extreme Republican views, saying it couldn’t have been easy to be a decent man at the head of what he feels is becoming a party of anti-immigrant policies and intolerance. Two years ago, conservatives drove him to reluctantly embrace a partial government shutdown in hopes of delaying implementation of Obama’s new health care law. “But having said that, I think that Kevin McCarthy would make an excellent Speaker”, Boehner said. “I’ve never known him to coast”. In the longer term, the next speaker probably will be even less likely to reach agreements with the Senate and White House, said Michael Wolf, associate professor of political science. “The results and consequences of that is really something I would gladly pay”, said Meadows in July. Under Speaker Boehner’s leadership, the House of Representatives is more open, accountable and transparent than ever before.
According to Politico, a visibly emotional Boehner told reporters upon exiting his Friday morning meeting that “this is a wonderful day”. “It’s happening because there’s a newly elected senator that showed up and started articulating principles that were consistent with the Republican platform.” “We don’t get to go on talk radio and say whatever we want”.
On one side, Peter King (R-L.I) decried the retirement of the 65-year-old Ohioan “a victory for the crazies” who “you can’t appease”. John Boehner’s resignation as Speaker and as a member of congress takes effect on October 30th. But it’s also been defined by his struggles with tea party conservatives who opposed his tendencies toward deal-making.
Conservatives demand Congress must punish Planned Parenthood over the abortion controversy by denying it federal funding.
What John Boehner’s announcement means for conservatives.
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Boehner has been mired in an attempt to avert a government shutdown with a contingent from within his party that said it would not vote for a measure unless it removes funds for Planned Parenthood. Cantor’s words this weekend suggest that he doesn’t see that as a winning battle, given the reality that Republicans do not control enough seats to override President Barack Obama’s vetoes.
