The Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner (R-OH) announced his departure from the House of Representatives as the fiscal showdown gets closer to the final hour.
The Speaker has had a difficult time trying to corral some of his members and was fighting off a defection of those members of his caucus. In fact, one member had called for his resignation and was planning a vote to remove him as Speaker. This shakeup in the House Republican caucus leaves a power vacuum that will result in new leadership elections but only after the end of regular funding for the federal government.
At least in the short term, our issues in Congress are unaffected by this development but that may change if a decisive leadership change does not occur. It is still hoped that a Continuing Resolution that will last until December 11 will be passed shortly and then a longer term funding package will pass both chambers and be signed by the President.
Battle for Next Speaker