Bill Straub: Boehner finally decides he’s had enough of the shrill voices that never subsided

Boehner’s decision now clears the way for what is called a continuing resolution – a measure that will fund the government sometime into December so lawmakers can continue to work on appropriations for the 2016 fiscal year.

Conservatives like Massie had expressed their preference to close the government rather than support Planned Parenthood, involved in a controversy over the selling of tissue recovered from aborted fetuses. Without those votes, numbering more than 30, Boehner would have been forced to rely on minority Democrats to provide support – a move that would have only further raised right-wing ire.

Freeing himself of the speakership by a date certain, Boehner was free to approach Democrats for the needed votes. But in the meeting of the Republican caucus this morning where he made his plans known, members reportedly indicated a willingness to go along with the temporary funding measure.

Massie, in his second term representing the congressional district centered in Northern Kentucky, has been a sharp and persistent Boehner critic, asserting that Boehner was insufficiently confrontational in challenging President Obama and congressional Democrats.

Massie twice voted again Boehner serving as Speaker, the powerful position that leads the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2014, in fact, he was identified as the leader of the cabal to oust Boehner.

More recently, Massie has joined with a handful of other right-wing members of the lower chamber in sponsoring a resolution to force Boehner to vacate the chair, a move described as an attempted coup. Now that Boehner is stepping aside, the endeavor is no longer necessary.

Efforts to get a statement from Massie on the resignation proved unsuccessful.

“Too much power has been vested in the speaker’s gavel,’’ Massie said in one recent Facebook posting. “He literally has absolute power in the House, given all of the punishments and rewards he can mete out.’’

Boehner, a Republican from West Chester, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati, took hold of the speaker’s gavel in 2011, succeeding House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, of California, after Republicans grabbed the majority in the 2010 elections. He is 65 and was first elected in 1990.

Almost from the beginning, Boehner, noted for maintaining a perpetual tan, a love of golf and a cigarette hanging from his lips, has faced constant criticism from the party’s right wing. Those differences essentially led to a governmental shutdown in 2013, with Republicans suffering a political fallout as a result.

The shrill voices never subsided and finally, it appears, Boehner has had enough. He reportedly considered serving only through the end of 2015, stepping aside for former Rep. Eric Cantor, of Virginia. Those plans fell apart when Cantor post a re-election bid.

The West Chester Republican reportedly planned only to serve through the end of last year, but decided to stay after Majority Leader Eric Cantor lost his 2014 primary election.

“The speaker believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution,” an aide said in explaining the seemingly abrupt decision.

But Boehner had his allies, including Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky.

“Grace under pressure. Country and institution before self. These are the first things that come to mind when I think of John Boehner,’’ McConnell said. “He is an ally. He is a friend. And he took over as Republican Leader at a difficult time for his party.

“When some said Republicans could never recover, he never gave up,’’ McConnell said. “When some gave in to defeatism, he kept up the fight.’’

Boehner, a devout Catholic, leaves a day after what he considered his crowning moment as speaker – Pope Francis’ visit to deliver remarks to a joint session of Congress in the House chambers. None for failing to suppress his emotions, Boehner was spotted weeping while sitting behind the pontiff during his speech.

There is no sure choice to succeed Boehner, although House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, of California, carries some support from both moderate and conservative Republicans. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and the party’s nominee for vice president in 2012, has support but insists he does not want the job.

In an afternoon press conference, Boehner said he assumed the job thinking “two terms would be plenty’’ and planned to step down earlier, remaining only because Cantor lost.

Initially he planned to resign on his birthday, Nov. 17. But he said “it became clear to me that prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable harm to the institution.’’

“My number one responsibility is to the institution,’’ he said.

Boehner expressed confidence he would have withstood any coup attempt but he “didn’t want the members to go through this.’’ The Speaker said he was preparing to leave anyway so today seemed like as good a time as any.

Boehner told reporters “I feel good about what I’ve done’’ and that he “tried to do everything for the right reasons.’’

The first person he told? His wife, this morning. And what did she say?

“Good,’’ Boehner said.

“”I’ve never been in the legacy business,’’ Boehner said. “You’ve always heard me say I’m just a regular guy with a big job.’’

Washington correspondent Bill Straub served 11 years as the Frankfort Bureau chief for The Kentucky Post. He also is the former White House/political correspondent for Scripps Howard News Service. He currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland, and writes frequently about the federal government and politics. Email him at williamgstraub@gmail.com.