Some conservatives were threatening to remove Boehner from his position of House Speaker. These are the same conservatives who favor a government shutdown over passing a deal. In an interview with meet the press on September 27, he decided to make clear that he couldn’t say where he’d be in a year. Now is as good of time as any to depart, and doing so will help avoid a government shutdown.
With further house hearings set to take place in October regarding the Clinton email scandal and Benghazi, Boehner’s departure could be good news for Clinton. In July, Boehner said she’s a liar, when Hillary mentioned she was never subpoenaed to hand over emails. Boehner has suggested there be a criminal investigation into whether Hillary Clinton mishandled sensitive information through use of her personal email account. We’ll miss his tearful speech if she is voted into office in 2016.
Conservatives were calling on Boehner to use the spending bill to defund Planned Parenthood. They want funding stopped to this woman’s health institution that promotes choice to the rabbit done died? Abortion is always a big topic in politics, but controversial videos of leaders within Planned Parenthood discussing aborted fetuses has moved it to the forefront. While they diverted a government shutdown this round in passing a temporary spending bill, they still have the option to bring this up again for negotiations when talks take place for a permanent spending bill in December.
The Pope’s visit took place in correlation with Boehner moving up his retirement. The former alter-boy is going out on a high note, and on his own terms. Had he stayed, we have to wonder if he would have allowed the GOP to manipulate him into another government shutdown. His replacement, if as conservative will be eating from their hand soon enough.