The Associated Press
The House has re-elected John Boehner to be speaker in the new Republican-led Congress, despite opposition by tea party lawmakers that underscored party divisions.
The Ohio Republican garnered the votes of 216 GOP lawmakers as Congress convened Tuesday. That was enough for him to win a third two-year term leading the House.
Congressman Jim Bridenstine of Tulsa voted against Boehner. Congressmen Markwayne Mullin, Frank Lucas, Tom Cole and Steve Russell voted to retain him.
But in an embarrassing slap, 25 Republicans voted for other candidates or voted present. They consider Boehner to be too accommodating and not conservative enough.
Their repudiation of Boehner was an awkward display of GOP schisms at a time when party leaders want to show voters that they can govern effectively. They want to show they won’t be forced by tea party legislators into unwinnable, unpopular showdowns with President Barack Obama.
What an epic failure to change the course of this Congress. Now we will be stuck with 2 years of compromises – and anybody that voted for Boehner can shut their mouth about how they are trying to stop it from happening.
Thank you for your courage, Congressman Bridenstine.
Well…..at least we know the true Conservative! Steve Russell, Tom Cole, Lucas…..all of them used the “C” word when campaigning to fool red state voters. Thank you Congressman Bridenstine!