Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-OH, announced Friday morning he will resign his house seat and his position as speaker of the house at the end of October.
The announcement comes after ongoing pressure from House Republicans to defund planned parenthood in the upcoming federal budget. Many House Republicans will not move forward with a new federal budget unless it explicitly defunds Planned Parenthood, which could lead to a shutdown like that of 2013.
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Boehner also had to deal with a House increasingly influenced by radical partisanship, especially from his own party, who Rep. Charlie Dent, R-PA, described as “unwilling to govern.” Despite winning another year of re-election to the speaker position, many House Republicans wanted to oust Boehner from his position as speaker if Planned Parenthood was not defunded.
“This was an act of pure selflessness. John’s decades of service have helped move our country forward, and I deeply value his friendship,” Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, said to the New York Times. “We will miss John, and I am confident our conference will elect leaders who are capable of meeting the challenges our nation faces. I wish John and his family well as he begins the next phase of his life.”
Boehner served as House Majority Leader from 2006-2007, and as House Minority Leader from 2007 to 2011. His role as Speaker began in 2011.
Collegian City Beat Reporter Erik Petrovich can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @EAPetrovich.
