John Boehner: I’m Not Going Anywhere
In last week’s blog, we
discussed how rumors have been flying around Capital Hill that Congressmen John
Boehner would be resigning from his post as Speaker of the House after the mid
term elections. After the Speaker of the House’s latest actions this week, it’s
quite clear that Boehner is not going anywhere. Boehner called for a meeting
with his fellow Republicans in the House and announced that the House would
pursue a vote that would no longer allow the government to continuing operating
without defunding Obamacare, which could very well lead to a government
shutdown. Within that vote, Boehner also announced that he would be pursing for
the Senate to no longer be able to strip the Obamacare provisions out of
legislation without sending it back to the House of Representatives for a vote,
thus effectively killing the Senates ability to strip Boehner and his attempt
to put the final nail in the coffin of defunding Obamacare. This is an extreme
measure Boehner is taking, because he is attempting to put the Obama Administration
in a tough bind that could turn these debates nuclear. If Boehner can get this
vote passed, The Obama Administration might be forced to eventually shut down
the government over this stipulation, which could hurt not only President Obama
legacy and his quest to end the budget debates and fully enact Obamacare, but
it could hurt the Democrats in the mid-term elections, as the public could view
them unfavorably for a potential shutdown down the road. Neither the
Republicans nor the Democrats want a government shutdown, but if a shutdown
does occur, one side will be blamed for the government’s inability to solve
these debates. (1)
Later in the week, when
asked to discuss his focus on killing the funding for Obama’s health care
policy, Boehner said, “When it comes to the health
care law, the debate in the House has been settled. Our position is very clear:
The law is a train wreck, it must go.” While we’ve talked about how both sides
of the isle are posturing for position on many different topics, Boehner’s
comments on this issue are the most extreme comments he’s made on them to this
date. Not only is Boehner digging in his heels in respect to trying to kill
Obamacare, he’s drawing a line in the sand with the Obama Administration.
Boehner will not negotiate anymore about Obamacare, his position – and the
House’s stance – “is settled.” (1)
While
Boehner is drawing a proverbial line in the sand for Republican’s with their
stance on Obamacare, he is also making it known that he will not be leaving
anytime soon and he still is a force to be reckon with. If Boehner were going
to retire, he would be far less likely to be taking drastic measures against
Obamacare. However, if he is going to remain in office and seek re-election, he
will continue to take extreme measures to prevent a law that he – and his party
– believes is a “train wreck.”
Aside from
the legislative issues Boehner is facing in Washington, he might now face
trouble from the district he represents. Eric Gurr, a Republican businessman
from Boehner’s district in Ohio, has announced that he will be challenging
Boehner in the primary elections that are right around the corner. While
Boehner faced a challenger in his last re-election and beat him by a 5-1
margin, Boehner will be forced to campaign in his home district again which
will force him to focus less attention on the Obamacare and budget debates. (2)
In
just his first two weeks back from recess, Boehner has dealt with the crisis in
Syria, a potential government shutdown over the budget debates and Obamacare,
as well as questions as to whether he will remain in office after the mid-term
elections. With that being said, I can’t wait to find out what Boehner and the
Republican’s have in store for next week. Stay tuned!
(2)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/19/john-boehner-primary_n_3953989.html?utm_hp_ref=politics
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