John Boehner on Resignation: ‘Proud Of What We Have Accomplished’

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) is expressing gratitude to his family, colleagues, and constituents Friday after announcing he will be resigning as speaker and from Congress at the end of October.

“My mission every day is to fight for a smaller, less costly, and more accountable government. Over the last five years, our majority has advanced conservative reforms that will help our children and their children. I am proud of what we have accomplished,” Boehner said in a statement Friday.

In a surprise announcement Friday morning during a closed-door Republican conference meeting, Boehner revealed his intentions to step down as speaker. In his statement, release later Friday, Boehner offered additional details about the circumstances of his early departure.

“The first job of any Speaker is to protect this institution that we all love. It was my plan to only serve as Speaker until the end of last year, but I stayed on to provide continuity to the Republican Conference and the House. It is my view, however, that prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution,” he said.

“To that end, I will resign the Speakership and my seat in Congress on October 30.”

In conclusion, Boehner offered his thanks and revisited his humble beginnings.

“Today, my heart is full with gratitude for my family, my colleagues, and the people of Ohio’s Eighth District.  God bless this great country that has given me – the son of a bar owner from Cincinnati – the chance to serve,” he said.