Speaker John Boehner retiring from Congress at the end of October

By Jake Sherman

The House speaker’s sudden announcement comes amid a GOP rebellion.

Embattled Speaker John Boehner, who rose from bartender's son to the most powerful man in Congress, will retire at the end of October, ending a tumultuous five-year tenure atop the House of Representatives.
Boehner, 65, planned to leave Congress at the end of 2014, one of his aides said Friday morning, but returned because of the unexpected defeat of Eric Cantor.

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In the coming weeks, Boehner expected conservatives to try to strip him of his speakership — a vote he felt he could win, but one he and his allies thought would do serious harm to the institution.
Boehner was visibly emotional as he exited a meeting with Republicans surrounded by security guards. He declined to answer questions but said "thank you" when a reporter congratulated him on his retirement.
"This is a wonderful day," said the Ohio Republican, who canceled a scheduled news conference.
"The Speaker believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution," a Boehner aide said. "He is proud of what this majority has accomplished, and his speakership, but for the good of the Republican Conference and the institution, he will resign the Speakership and his seat in Congress, effective October 30."
On Thursday evening as he left the Capitol, Boehner told two reporters — one from POLITICO and another from the Washington Post — that he had nothing left to accomplish after he brought Pope Francis to the Capitol. When asked if he was resigning, Boehner laughed before exiting into an awaiting SUV with his Capitol Police detail.
First elected to the House in 1990, Boehner came into power on the momentum of the 2010 tea party wave. But it was that movement that gave him constant problems. He clashed with the right over the debt limit, government funding, Obamacare and taxes. But his tenure will also be remembered for his complicated relationship with President Barack Obama. He and Obama tried — but repeatedly failed — to cut a deal on a sweeping fiscal agreement.
But Boehner has had some significant victories, including the trade deal that Congress passed this year, and changes to entitlement programs.
Now that he doesn't have internal political considerations to weigh, Boehner is certain to push through a government-funding bill next week that funds Planned Parenthood and keeps the government open.
“I have been doing this for 27 years, and this is the most selfless act that I have ever seen,” said Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, a George Republican who is close with both Boehner and McCarthy. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), a former member of leadership who has clashed with Boehner, also called the Ohio Republican’s move “one of the selfless acts I’ve seen in politics.”
“In the two years I served at the leadership table both my respect and affection grew for John Boehner," Hensarling said.
Conservatives – many of them members of the House Freedom Caucus – said they’re already preparing for the vote to replace Boehner.
“He has a long record of distinguished service but it's time for new leadership,” said Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.). “Conservatives will be working together, it's not going to be one or two of us, we're going to make a deal.”
Boehner's decision, relayed in a closed Republican meeting Friday morning, will indeed set off one of the most intense leadership scrambles in modern Congressional GOP politics. Second in line is House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who is widely expected to serve as the next speaker. But there is serious unrest in the House Republican ranks, as a small clutch of conservatives have continuously clashed with establishment Republicans. It takes 218 votes on the House floor to win the speakership, and many GOP insiders believe that McCarthy is the only person who could cobble together a coalition to win.
Should McCarthy win, it will set off an intense battle for majority leader. Boehner allies appear to be rallying around McCarthy for speaker already, providing him a hefty base for the internal House Republican Conference election, and a speaker vote on the House floor.
One man is already taking himself out of the contest. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said he will not run for any position.
“That is a good job for an empty nester,” Ryan said. “This was an act of pure selflessness”
The posturing within GOP ranks has been going on for weeks. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) has been laying the groundwork for that battle, but so has House Republican Conference Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.). Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) will be favored for House Republican whip.
There are wildcards, however. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), who has recently gained favor with the conservative right, is expected to eye a slot.
There will be time for the close-knit team of Boehner aides to toast his speakership. He is holding a barbecue Sunday in Washington for current and former staff.
Heritage Action on Friday quickly issued a statement celebrating Boehner’s resignation. “Americans deserve a Congress that fights for opportunity for all and favoritism to none,” CEO Michael Needham said in a statement. “Too often, Speaker Boehner has stood in the way.”
In another sign of the triumphant feeling among conservatives, the crowd at the Values Voter Summit broke into cheers when Sen. Marco Rubio announced that Boehner was stepping down.