Republican Representative Introduces Resolution to Oust House Speaker John Boehner
House Speaker John Boehner downplayed a concerted effort led by a member of his own party to remove him from his position of leadership as "no big deal" on Wednesday.
While speaking at his weekly press conference, the Republican leader dismissed GOP Rep. Mark Meadows' effort to oust him as the Speaker of the House.
"This is one member. I've got broad support amongst my colleagues," Boehner said when asked to respond to Meadows' push to have him removed from the speakership, according to CNN.
In a two-page resolution, Meadows reasons Boehner has abused his power and suppressed the voices of the minority. The House conservative also charges the Ohio Republican with litany of other complaints: "The speaker of the House of Representatives for the 114th Congress has endeavored to consolidate power and centralize decision-making, bypassing the majority of the 435 members of Congress and the people they represent."
The resolution also argues Boehner limits amendments on the House floor and doesn't allot enough time for lawmakers to review legislation before taking a vote.
In response, Boehner and other GOP leadership aides have dismissed the resolution, noting the motion will likely be ignored by Boehner's ally, Pete Sessions, when it heads to the Rules Committee since Sessions is the chairman.
"You've got a member here and a member there who are off the reservation -- no big deal," Boehner said.
Meadows said he launched the effort on Tuesday in order to ignite a "discussion" about how leaders are running the House.
"It's really more about trying to have a conversation on making this place work, where everybody's voice matters, where there's not a punitive culture," Meadows said, adding he did not intend to force a vote on removing Boehner, reports The Hill.
Meadows also insists his motive is not to get attention.
"I don't like being in the limelight. It is fearful whenever you do something like this," he told reporters outside the House chamber.
However, Meadows has gained support from FreedomWorks CEO Adam Brandon, who released a statement, saying, "Every time defenders of freedom need a leader, John Boehner has failed us. It's time to remove Boehner from the speakership before it's too late to pass bold reforms. It's time to end the Boehner Blunder."
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!