1) Palmer told me yesterday he was considering voting @SenatorSessions for Speaker. He ultimately did, keeping promise not to back Boehner.
— Cliff Sims (@Cliff_Sims) January 6, 2015
WASHINGTON — In his first official act as a congressman, Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL6) cast a vote for Sen. Jeff Sessions to be Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Speaker of the House does not actually have to be a member of the House, although it is rare for anyone other than a House member to receive votes.
John Boehner was ultimately re-elected Speaker, in spite of a late effort by a group of staunchly conservative members to unseat him.
Besides Palmer, Alabama’s five other Republican members voted for Boehner. The state’s lone Democrat, Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL7) cast her vote for California Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
Of Alabama’s five votes for Boehner, Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL5) was perhaps the most surprising.
Brooks has been a vocal opponent of House leadership in the past, and said he voted for Boehner “with some reluctance” because he thought he was the best of the available options.
I see the re-election campaign now: "Don't blame me, I voted for @SenatorSessions!" –@Palmer4Alabama #alpolitics
— Dale Jackson (@TheDaleJackson) January 6, 2015
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— Cliff Sims (@Cliff_Sims) December 3, 2014
