House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) expects to be reelected as House Speaker Tuesday despite challenges to his leadership from disgruntled conservatives.
“Rep. Boehner was selected as the House Republican Conference’s choice for Speaker in November, and he expects to be elected by the whole House this week,” Boehner spokesman Michael Steel emailed Breitbart News in a statement Monday.
Boehner was reelected by the Republican Conference in November and at the time there was no challenge to his speakership.
Two months later, after a bruising lame duck session, Reps. Louie Gohmert and Ted Yoho have thrown their hats into the ring as alternatives to the current leader.
Monday morning, Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), a Boehner ally, called the challenges “unprofessional” and “disappointing,” noting that those challengers could have tried to unseat Boehner in the conference election.
“Any of these people that wanted to run, could have run the conference elections and none of them did, so by going out and not voting for the conference choice, you’re not attacking John Boehner, you’re really attacking the Republican conference that you say you’re part of.” Cole said.
Steel did not react to Cole’s comments.
The number of House Republicans who’ve come out against Boehner now include Reps. David Brat (R-VA), Steve King (R-IA), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Jim Bridenstine (R-OK), Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), Walter Jones (R-NC) and Thomas Massie (R-KY).
“If this vote fit the Progressive agenda, the media would be calling us a ‘Gang of Nine,’ Bridenstine said early Monday morning. “Monday, we will be in double digits. The Congress is hearing the people.”
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