Boehner: Resigning to avert ‘irreparable harm’ to the House

WASHINGTON (AP) – An emotional House Speaker John Boehner says he woke up this morning and decided to announce his resignation from Congress because prolonged turmoil over his leadership would do irreparable harm to the House.
The Ohio Republican says he had planned to leave the speakership by the end of the year anyway. But he says he moved up his timetable as unrest among conservatives threatened the House.
He told reporters at a news conference it has been an honor to serve in the House for 25 years and as its top leader. He says California congressman Kevin McCarthy, the No. 2 House Republican, would “make an excellent speaker.” Some conservatives are welcoming the announcement. But more mainstream Republicans say the tea party lawmakers have scored a small victory that will cost them in the long run.
BOEHNER-RESIGNING: PROFILE–Boehner angered conservatives by deal-making
WASHINGTON (AP) – John Boehner (BAY’-nur) became House speaker in January of 2011. With a relaxed and sociable demeanor, a love of golf, and a well-known tendency to cry in public, he’s been widely popular among House Republicans.
But although he is known as a strong conservative, his tactics were never confrontational enough to satisfy the most conservative faction in the House. His tenure has been defined partly by his early struggles to reach budget agreements with President Barack Obama. But it’s also been defined by his struggles with tea party conservatives who opposed his tendencies toward deal-making.
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.

The tactic was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, tea party lawmakers had been pressing him to retry the tactic to try to take away federal funding from Planned Parenthood. This, after the disclosure of controversial videos involving its practices of procuring fetal tissue for research purposes.
As Boehner told lawmakers today of his plan to resign, he 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.
BOEHNER RESIGNING-OBAMA — Obama praises Boehner as ‘good man’ and patriot
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama is praising outgoing House Speaker John Boehner as a “good man” and a patriot who kept his word to the president. Obama was reacting to Boehner’s announcement that he’ll step down next month. Obama said he hopes the next speaker will understand that politicians can have major differences, but they shouldn’t shut down the government or risk the U.S. economy over those disagreements.
He was referring to GOP threats to shut down the government over funding for Planned Parenthood.
Obama says he called Boehner on Friday following Boehner’s announcement. He said Boehner understands that in government, you don’t get 100 percent of what you want and must work with ideological opponents to get things done.
BOEHNER-CONSERVATIVES REJOICE –Conservatives rejoice after Boehner resigns as speaker
WASHINGTON (AP) – Several of the Republican Party’s candidates for president are cheering the decision of House Speaker John Boehner to resign as they rally conservative voters in Washington. Speaking a meeting of evangelical voters, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio says, “I’m not here to bash anyone, but the time has come to turn the page.”
Real estate mogul Donald Trump says Republican congressional leaders like Boehner are “babies.”
The billionaire suggested that while some people may like Boehner personally, “we want people who are going to get it done.” The forum has become something of a victory lap for conservative activists, as the 2016 candidates celebrate Boehner’s departure by lashing out at congressional Republicans for not fighting hard enough for conservative priorities.

WASHINGTON, DC – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement:
“My mission every day is to fight for a smaller, less costly, and more accountable government. Over the last five years, our majority has advanced conservative reforms that will help our children and their children. I am proud of what we have accomplished.
“The first job of any Speaker is to protect this institution that we all love. It was my plan to only serve as Speaker until the end of last year, but I stayed on to provide continuity to the Republican Conference and the House. 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 October 30.
“Today, my heart is full with gratitude for my family, my colleagues, and the people of Ohio’s Eighth District. God bless this great country that has given me – the son of a bar owner from Cincinnati – the chance to serve.”

Statement from Congressman Andy Barr:
“Speaker Boehner has been a loyal friend to me and my family. I am grateful for his leadership, his honesty, his servant’s heart, and his patriotic willingness to place the interests of the nation, the Congress and the House Republican Conference over his own. Today, he has shown the kind of humility, class and selflessness that the Pope called all of us to pursue yesterday. I wish Speaker Boehner Godspeed and best wishes as he now gets to enjoy his new grandson in a well-earned retirement.”
“Speaker Boehner has been a loyal friend to me and my family. I am grateful for his leadership, his honesty, his servant’s heart, and his patriotic willingness to place the interests of the nation, the Congress and the House Republican Conference over his own. Today, he has shown the kind of humility, class and selflessness that the Pope called all of us to pursue yesterday. I wish Speaker Boehner Godspeed and best wishes as he now gets to enjoy his new grandson in a well-earned retirement.”