Alabama congressmen react to House Speaker Boehner's resignation

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH8) shocked the nation, and members of his own party, Friday morning by announcing his resignation, effective October 31st.

Boehner will leave a significant void heading into what is sure to be a tumultuous Holiday Season for Congress, as an upcoming funding fight will butt directly up against a debt ceiling increase.

While no front runner has emerged for the speakership, convention suggests it will be a current member of the House leadership such as House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) or Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA).

Several members of Alabama’s congressional delegation have already spoken out on the resignation, urging members of their party to quickly find a new leader.

Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL1): “I want to thank Speaker Boehner for his service to Congress and our nation. Now is the time for our Republican Conference to put our differences aside and unite behind a leader who not only helps push back against the Obama agenda but who also offers conservative solutions to solve problems facing the American people.”

Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL2): “Speaker Boehner is a truly humble man who cares deeply for this institution. Indeed, Speaker Boehner worked hard to restore honor and integrity to the ‘People’s House.’ I appreciate his service to this country and wish him well in his much-deserved retirement.

“The selection of the next Speaker is a very important decision. The Speaker of the House serves not only as the leader of our Republican Conference but of the entire House of Representatives and is second in line to the Presidency. I will be looking for someone to step forward who can boldly advance our agenda of conservative solutions while effectively managing the House in an incredibly fractious environment.

“That decision will take place more than a month from now within the House Republican Conference. In the meantime, we have serious budget issues to deal with, and that remains my primary focus.”

Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL4): “While not everyone agreed with Speaker Boehner 100 percent of the time, he worked hard to advance conservative principles of smaller government, curtailing regulatory overreach and reducing government spending.

“Since taking back the House of Representatives in 2010, the Republicans in Congress have reduced the annual budget deficit from the Obama high of $1.3 trillion in 2010 to $490 billion this year. Furthermore, discretionary spending has been cut to pre-Obama levels and is currently around 2007 spending levels.

“It is now time to look forward as to who will lead with conservative principles in Congress.”

Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL6): “Speaker Boehner’s decision to step down as Speaker is an extraordinary act of leadership. He did something that is very rare in politics, and among others who hold power: he voluntarily gave it up. In doing so, he put what was in the best interest of the people he was leading ahead of his own interests. And it is for this that he should be remembered.”

There have been several reasons cited for the speaker’s decision, from former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s primary defeat by Rep. Dave Brat in 2014, to a push by the House Freedom Caucus for a call to vacate the chair.

Alabama Congressmen Mo Brooks (R-AL5) and Gary Palmer (R-AL6) are each members of the caucus.

More reactions will be added as they are released.