Speaker Boehner stuns Congress, announces resignation

Speaker Boehner stuns Congress, announces resignation

WASHINGTON (AP) — With Congress in turmoil, House Speaker John Boehner suddenly informed fellow Republicans on Friday that he would resign at the end of October, stepping aside in the face of hardline conservative opposition that threatens an institutional crisis.

The 13-term Ohio Republican shocked his GOP caucus Friday morning when he announced his decision in a closed-door session. 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.

A constant focus of conservatives’ complaints, Boehner was facing the threat of a floor vote on whether he could stay on as speaker, a formal challenge that hasn’t happened in over 100 years. That was being pushed by tea partyers convinced Boehner wasn’t fighting hard enough to strip Planned Parenthood of government funds, even though doing so risked a government shutdown next week.

“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.” SOURCE

Now we face a whole new set of challenges and questions.

First; will the GOP suddenly find where their courage was hidden and bring it into play?

Second; if all goes as it should and the GOP wakes up and takes control of the House as they need to and stop caving to Obama on each and every issue, who would they actually propose as the new Speaker, barring the potential of a debacle in which the GOP did fold and prove that they are nothing more than Dem Lite? 

It is going to take a STRONG leader to turn the House around and get it back on track to being The House of The People as opposed to the Good Old Boys Club. Congress Critters are sent there to represent us and to do the will of the people but for far too long it’s been a dog and pony show in which most Congressmen do what THEY want to do, not giving a thought to what WE want until it’s time to get reelected, at which time the rotten SOBs will tell you anything they think you want to hear in hopes of gaining YOUR vote.

To the esteemed members of BOTH Houses, take note; the American people are tired of the shenanigans and wishy washy governance you practice on a daily basis. We are tired of Congressmen and Senators going to Washington to *make their fortune* as opposed to the needs of the American people being addressed.

There is a new day dawning and our elected officials need to take heed, We The People are PISSED OFF, and we’re going to get rid of ALL of you and set this nation back on its feet. 

One way or another…