The Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Boehner, will resign from Congress and give up his seat at the end of October, lawmakers and aides in the speaker’s office said Friday.
Boehner, a member of Congress since 1990, has been under pressure from the conservative wing of his Republican Party on a number of issues. He was involved in meetings Friday trying to arrange a compromise with his conservative opponents to avoid possible action that could result in a shutdown of most federal government operations next week.
The post of House speaker is second in line to take over leadership of the U.S. government, if both the president and vice president are incapacitated or unable to continue to serve.
Boehner was elected by his Republican colleagues to serve as speaker just short of five years ago, on his 61st birthday.
Reacting to the announcement, Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush praised the House Speaker’s years of dedication to public service on Twitter.
Senate Minority Leader, Democrat Harry Reid also reacted to the news on Twitter where he praised his political adversary.
Source : VOA
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