US House Speaker To Resign

Local Editor

The leader of the US House of Representatives, Speaker John Boehner, stunned Republicans on Friday, saying he would resign at the end of October, stepping aside from one of the most powerful jobs in Washington in the face of hardline conservative opposition that threatens an institutional crisis.

Boehner, second in line to succeed the president and into his 13th two-year term announced his decision in a closed-door session of the Republican caucus.
It came one day after a high point of Boehner's congressional career, a historic speech by Pope Francis to Congress at Boehner's request.

Although it's not certain who will succeed Boehner, the most obvious candidate is the No. 2 House Republican, Kevin McCarthy, a genial Californian who was first elected to Congress in 2006. McCarthy did not immediately announce any plans to run for speaker, but would be expected to. Boehner endorsed his No. 2: "Kevin McCarthy would make an excellent speaker."

Boehner's departure ensures a major leadership race in which Tea-Party conservatives would be expected to field a candidate.

The turmoil in Congress is playing out against an already roiling race for the Republican presidential nomination in which the candidates at the top of opinion polls are all Washington outsiders. Many of the Republicans candidates have criticized Boehner and his Senate counterpart, Majority leader Mitch McConnell, who've seen their approval ratings sag even among Republicans.

"The first job of any speaker is to protect this institution that we all love," Boehner said in a statement not long after announcing his resignation to his colleagues. "It is my view, however, that prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution. To that end, I will resign the speakership and my seat in Congress on Oct. 30."

"Over the last five years, our majority has advanced conservative reforms that will help our children and their children," Boehner said. "I am proud of what we have accomplished
Boehner "just does not want to become the issue," said Rep. John Mica, a Republican, "Some people have tried to make him the issue both in Congress and outside," Mica said.

Several of the Republican Party's candidates for president cheered Boehner's decision as they rallied conservative voters in Washington.

Speaking a meeting of evangelical voters, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said, "I'm not here to bash anyone, but the time has come to turn the page."
Real estate mogul Donald Trump said Republican congressional leaders like Boehner are "babies."

But more mainstream Republicans said it would be a pyrrhic victory for the Tea-Partiers.
Boehner took over the speakership in January 2011. His tenure has been defined by his early struggles to reach budget agreements with President Barack Obama and his wrestling with the expectations of Tea-Party conservatives who abhorred his tendencies toward deal-making.

Two years ago, conservatives drove him to embrace a partial government shutdown reluctantly in hopes of delaying implementation of Obama's new health care law.
The tactic was unsuccessful.

As he told lawmakers Friday of his plan to resign, Boehner also announced plans to schedule a vote on a government funding bill that includes money for Planned Parenthood before next week's deadline.

It will be likely to pass with Democratic support, notwithstanding conservative complaints.
Surprised Democrats saw disorder in the House Republican side, with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi calling Boehner's resignation "seismic."

"The disarray among the House Republicans and their obsession with shutting down government over women's health needs to be reckoned with and recognized," said Pelosi.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team