On Friday, September 25, 2015, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner announced he will leave Congress at the end of October after struggling with repeated rebellions by conservatives during a tumultuous five-year reign as the chamber’s top Republican. The 65-year-old Ohio lawmaker stunned Republican House members at a meeting on Friday morning with the announcement that he would leave the top job in the 435- seat chamber and resign his seat effective on Oct. 30. U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy, 50, of California, the No. 2 House Republican, quickly became the leading contender to replace Boehner as speaker. While loyal to Boehner, McCarthy has built personal relationships with conservative groups and tacked right recently to back the shutdown of the Export-Import bank.
to Boehner, McCarthy has built personal relationships with conservative groups and tacked right recently to back the shutdown of the Export-Import bank. Boehner (pronounced BAY-ner) told reporters McCarthy “would make an excellent speaker.” Boehner has faced constant pressure from conservatives who believe he was too willing to compromise with President Barack Obama and too frequently relied on Democratic votes to pass crucial legislation. Obama praised the speaker as “a good man” and said he hoped Boehner would be in a position to get a lot done before he leaves.
Boehner told reporters he was stepping aside to avoid another brewing House battle over his leadership. Conservatives had threatened a revolt and possible government shutdown over spending next week. The son of a bar owner and one of 12 children, Boehner is the only college graduate in his family. He grew up in Cincinnati and served in the U.S. Navy in 1969, then became a small businessman before launching a political career.
