Sen. Schumer: Boehner ‘will be missed’

Boehner “tried to do the right thing under almost impossible circumstances. He will be missed by Republicans and Democrats alike,” the New York Democrat said in a statement. 

{mosads}The Speaker announced during a closed-door meeting Friday morning that he would resign at the end of October. The move is shaking up Republican leadership in the House, as lawmakers immediately began to look for the Ohio Republican’s successor.

Conservative Republicans, who have talked recently of trying to overthrow Boehner, are pledging to stick together so they can influence who will be the next top Republican in the House. 

Schumer too weighed in, adding that he hopes the decision will force House Republicans to learn “the right lessons.”

“To work with Democrats in a constructive way, rather than let a handful of extreme right-wingers dictate his party’s policy,” he added. 

Despite the New York Democrat’s praise on Friday, he has repeatedly criticized House Republicans, suggesting that Boehner was torn between passing legislation and appeasing conservatives. 

During the fight earlier this year over funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Schumer described Boehner as “lost at sea, torn between what’s right and the hard right.” 

Schumer is widely expected to become leader of Senate Democrats in the next Congress after Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) retires.

The GOP meeting Friday morning was called to discuss plans for avoiding a government shutdown next week. Boehner made his surprise announcement after detailing party’s legislative strategy.