Conservative leader cheers Boehner’s departure

The chief executive of the Heritage Action for America said on Friday that he is pleased with the announcement earlier that morning that Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will resign.

Michael Needham added that Boehner’s departure from Congress at the end of October will be a major victory for conservatives nationwide.

“America deserves a Congress that fights for opportunity for all and favoritism to none,” Needham said in a statement.

“Too often, Speaker Boehner has stood in the way,” he said.  “Today’s announcement is a sign that the voice of the people is breaking through in Washington.”

“Now is the time for a principled, conservative leader to emerge,” Needham added.  “Heritage Action will continue fighting for conservative policy solutions and we look forward to working with the new leadership team.”

Boehner shocked lawmakers on Friday by announcing he plans on vacating both his Speakership and his House seat next month.

“Speaker Boehner believes that the first job of any Speaker is to protect this institution and, as we saw yesterday with the Holy Father, it is the one thing that unites and inspires us all,” a Boehner aide said, referencing Pope Francis’ historic joint address of Congress Thursday morning.

The aide said that Boehner had originally planned to leave Congress at the end of 2014 but decided he would continue after then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) suffered a stunning primary loss.

“The Speaker believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution.”

“He is proud of what this majority has accomplished, and his Speakership, but for the good of the Republican Conference and the institution, he will resign the Speakership and his seat in Congress effective Oct. 30.”

Boehner has repeatedly struggled with uniting Republicans under his leadership since winning the Speaker’s gavel in 2010.

His announcement comes as Congress struggles to agree on a measure funding the government next year.

Conservatives have vowed they would unseat Boehner if he didn’t fight to revoke federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

Boehner’s announcement on Friday reportedly caught the GOP-led Congress off-guard.

The Hill reported last week that conservatives are warming to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as a replacement for Boehner.