Hoosier lawmakers respond to Boehner’s decision to step down
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- Published: Tuesday, 29 September 2015 17:56
INDIANAPOLIS – Members of Indiana’s congressional delegation responded Friday to the news that Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, would be resigning both as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and his seat in Congress by thanking him for his service and his friendship.
Rep. Susan Brooks, R-Indiana, in some ways set the tone.
“I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Speaker John Boehner for his strong leadership and dedicated service to our country. As a member of Congress, he has tirelessly served the people of Ohio for nearly twenty-five years. As Speaker of the House, he has demonstrated strength and honor in the face of significant challenges, and his passion for service and the institution of Congress will be greatly missed,” Brooks said in a media release.
“Due to his efforts, we have built the largest Republican majority since the 1920s. Under Speaker Boehner’s leadership, the Republican majority has passed a historic ban on earmarks, increased transparency in the legislative process, secured the most significant spending reductions in modern history, and passed a measure that protects 99 percent of Americans from permanent tax increases. Speaker Boehner has left a lasting mark on our country, Congress, and those of us who have had the pleasure of serving with him.”
Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Indiana, focused on the leadership challenges this era presented for Boehner.
“There’s no doubt the speaker presided over a difficult time in our nation’s history. During his tenure, he’s been a dedicated public servant to his constituents and has led our conference with an undeniable love for country. I thank him for his leadership, respect his decision, and wish him all the best in his next chapter. It’s now time for our conference to move forward with unity as we address the challenges that face our country,” Bucshon said in a statement.
Rep. Todd Young, R-Indiana – who is running for a seat in the U.S. Senate – spoke to Hoosiers’ interests.
“I thank John Boehner for his decades of service to the United States. As we begin the process of deciding a new speaker of the House, I look forward to electing someone who can not only articulate conservative principles, but has the wherewithal to effectively advance them. As always, I will do what is in the best interest of the Hoosiers I represent. They deserve a strong leader that understands the challenges we face domestically in order to grow the economy, as well as the threats we face internationally in order to keep Americans safe and secure,” Young’s statement read.
Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Indiana, is running for the same U.S. Senate as Young. Stutzman directed his attention as much to Boehner’s service in the House as his time as speaker.
“I want to thank John Boehner for his service to not only the House of Representatives but also to his constituents of Ohio’s 8th Congressional District. Many people forget that long before John Boehner became speaker of the House he was a rank-and-file member, like many of us, just working hard to serve his constituents and promote his own policy initiatives, particularly in the education and agriculture arenas. As we move forward over the next month there will be plenty of time for speculation on who will succeed him as Speaker. In the meantime, it is important we thank the speaker for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Stutzman’s media release said.
Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Indiana, offered perhaps the simplest statement. He just said thank you.
“I thank John Boehner for his service to our nation and wish him and his family the best moving forward. The reason that he gave us this morning for leaving demonstrates, perhaps most eloquently, his humble, servant leadership, character, and the respect he has for the institution and country,” said Rokita in a statement.
Boehner will step down as speaker and leave Congress at the end of October.
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