McConnell to Boehner: ‘Thank you, my friend’

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) praised outgoing Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on the floor Friday in a warm tribute to his “friend.”

He thanked Boehner for his service in the House leadership and fondly recalled the effort he made to turn the political tide in favor of Republicans after Democrats captured the House in 2006 and the White House in 2008.

{mosads}“He took over as Republican leader at a very difficult time for his party. When some said Republicans could never recover, he never gave up. When some gave in to defeatism, he kept up the fight,” McConnell said.

“Thank you, my friend,” he said in closing his speech.

He noted that Boehner helped the House GOP build its biggest majority since the 1920s.

McConnell also observed that Thursday’s visit to Congress by Pope Francis — the first ever by a pope — marked a high point in Boehner’s career.

“We all know yesterday was incredibly important event for the Speaker,” he said. “It was his aim to bring the same spirit of grace that has always guided his life to others.”

He recounted Boehner’s career climb from towel-wielding bartender working for his family bar to one of the most powerful people in Washington.

“John knows what it’s like to struggle and to dream of something better. He’s lived it,” he said.