John Boehner to Resign from Congress
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) will step down from Congress and give up his House seat at the end of October, the NYT is reporting.
Boehner broke the news in a Friday meeting of Republicans at the Capitol.
“He didn’t give anyone a heads up. This was a complete surprise to all of us,” said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.)
Republicans are reportedly in a “state of shock” over the announcement.
NBC News reports:
A Boehner aide told NBC News that the Speaker “believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution. He is proud of what this majority has accomplished, and his Speakership, but for the good of the Republican Conference and the institution, he will resign the Speakership and his seat in Congress, effective October 30.”
Boehner has been under prolonged pressure from conservatives in his party, who have accused him of failing to fight the Obama administration on issues important to the GOP.
Foes within his party had been pushing to oust him if he presented any legislation that would continue to fund the government and avoid a government shutdown without stripping federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
More:
“Speaker Boehner believes that the first job of any Speaker is to protect this institution and, as we saw yesterday with the Holy Father, it is the one thing that unites and inspires us all,” a Boehner aide said.
Developing (refresh for updates)…
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Andy Towle
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