No GOP drama: Unanimous vote for John Boehner
| House Republicans have officially elected Ohio Republican John Boehner as their nominee for speaker of the House.
The unanimous voice vote came in a closed-door conference meeting in the Longworth House Office building. The two-decade veteran of Congress from western Ohio met no opposition and will ascend to the top perch in the House when Republicans officially take control in January. Sens. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Richard Burr of North Carolina, two of Boehner’s best friends from their days in the House, came to Longworth for the nomination. Rep. Dave Camp of Michigan nominated Boehner, and Georgia Rep. Lynn Westmoreland and newly elected Ohio Rep. Steve Stivers gave speeches backing the Boehner nomination. “Since his first days in Congress, John Boehner has stood up to Washington and stood up for the American people,” said Camp, who came to Washington with Boehner in 1990. “As a leader of the reform-minded Gang of Seven that closed the House Bank, John refused to accept business as usual. As one of the architects of the Contract with America, John demanded the federal government be more limited and more responsive to the needs of the American people. He has never requested an earmark.” After he was given the nod as speaker, two aides rolled out a green birthday cake to wish Boehner a happy 61st birthday. Republicans also elected Eric Cantor of Virginia as majority leader. Cantor was first nominated by South Carolina’s newly elected Rep. Tim Scott, one of two black Republicans in the House. The nomination was seconded by West Virginia Rep. Shelley Moore Capito and Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan. The nomination makes Cantor the highest ranking Jewish lawmaker in Congress. California Rep. Kevin McCarthy was quickly elevated to majority whip in his third term in Congress, nominated by Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, who said it was a layup to make McCarthy the chief vote counter. North Dakota’s newly elected lawmaker Rick Berg and Michigan Rep. Candice Miller seconded the nomination Jeb Hensarling of Texas was elected Republican Conference chairman. He was nominated by outgoing Conference Chairman Mike Pence of Indiana, and seconded by Miller and newly elected Texan Bill Flores, who unseated longtime Rep. Chet Edwards. The GOP will also elect two freshmen to their Elected Leadership Committee and three to the steering committee. South Dakota’s Kristi Noem and South Carolina’s Tim Scott won spots to the ELC and Georgia’s Austin Scott won his class’s vote for freshman class president Rep. Connie Mack of Florida dropped his bid for policy chair, leaving the door open for Georgia Rep. Tom Price, who was nominated by Ryan, Illinois Rep. Judy Biggert and newly elected Californian Jeff Denham. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state was unopposed for conference vice chairwoman, and Texas Rep. John Carter was unchallenged for conference secretary — a post he held last Congress. Rounding out the leadership races, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) was elected as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. |