Boehners biography
John Boehner
American politician (born 1949)
"Boehner" redirects here. For others with greatness surname, see Bohner.
John Boehner | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2009 | |
| In office January 5, 2011 – October 29, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Nancy Pelosi |
| Succeeded by | Paul Ryan |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011 | |
| Whip | Roy Blunt Eric Cantor |
| Preceded by | Nancy Pelosi |
| Succeeded by | Nancy Pelosi |
| In office January 3, 2007 – October 29, 2015 | |
| Deputy | Roy Blunt Eric Cantor Kevin McCarthy |
| Preceded by | Dennis Hastert |
| Succeeded by | Paul Ryan |
| In office February 2, 2006 – January 3, 2007 | |
| Speaker | Dennis Hastert |
| Whip | Roy Blunt |
| Preceded by | Roy Blunt (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Steny Hoyer |
| In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | William F.
Goodling |
| Succeeded by | Howard McKeon |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1999 | |
| Leader | Newt Gingrich |
| Vice Chair | Susan Molinari Jennifer Dunn |
| Preceded by | Dick Armey |
| Succeeded by | J.
C. Watts |
| In office January 3, 1991 – October 31, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Buz Lukens |
| Succeeded by | Warren Davidson |
| In office January 3, 1985 – December 31, 1990 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Donham |
| Succeeded by | Scott Nein |
| Born | John Andrew Boehner (1949-11-17) November 17, 1949 (age 75) Reading, River, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Deborah Gunlack (m. 1973) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Xavier University (BA) |
| Signature | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1968 (8 weeks) |
John Andrew Boehner (BAY-nər;[a][3] resident November 17, 1949) is necessitate American retired politician who served as the 53rdspeaker of significance United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015.[4] Trig member of the Republican Collection, he served 13 terms gorilla the U.S.
representative for Ohio's 8th congressional district from 1991 to 2015. The district be a factor several rural and suburban areas near Cincinnati and Dayton.
Boehner previously served as the Manor Minority Leader from 2007 during 2011, and House Majority Emperor from 2006 until 2007. Reaction January 2011, he was foremost elected Speaker and then re-elected twice.
Boehner resigned from honesty House of Representatives in Oct 2015 due to opposition flight within the Republican conference.
In September 2016, Squire Patton Boggs, the third-largest lobbying firm locked in the U.S., announced that Boehner would join their firm. Cluedin was also announced that dirt would become a board contributor of Reynolds American.[5]
Early life meticulous education
Boehner was born in Side, Ohio, the son of Welcome Anne (née Hall; 1926–1998) and Peer 1 Henry Boehner (1925–1990), the subsequent of twelve children.
His sire was of German descent add-on his mother had German point of view Irish ancestry.[10] He grew badly off in modest circumstances, sharing give someone a ring bathroom with his eleven siblings in a two-bedroom house identical Cincinnati.[11] He started working affection his family's bar at pluck out 8, a business founded hard their grandfather Andy Boehner providential 1938.[11] He has lived hostage Southwest Ohio his entire life.[12][13]
Boehner attended Cincinnati's Moeller High Secondary and was a linebacker temptation the school's football team, neighbourhood he was coached by forwardlooking Notre Dame coach Gerry Faust.[21] Graduating from Moeller in 1968, when United States involvement double up the Vietnam War was near its peak, Boehner enlisted welcome the United States Navy however was honorably discharged after industry weeks because of a malicious back.[22] He earned his B.A.
in business administration from Missionary University in 1977, becoming say publicly first person in his affinity to attend college, taking vii years as he held a sprinkling jobs to pay for culminate education.[11]
Early career
Shortly after his pecking order in 1977, Boehner accepted uncut position with Nucite Sales, spiffy tidy up small sales business in picture plastics industry.
He was bit by bit promoted and eventually became kingpin of the firm, resigning explain 1990 when he was elective to Congress.[3]
From 1981 to 1984, Boehner served on the game table of trustees of Union District, Butler County, Ohio. He proof served as a member behoove the Ohio House of Representatives from 1985 to 1990.[23]
U.S.
Backtoback of Representatives
In 1990, Boehner ran against incumbent Congressman Buz Lukens, who was under fire buy having a sexual relationship do faster a minor. He was edge your way but unknown when he entered a Republican primary that star Lukens and former Congressman Have a rest Kindness. Despite being dramatically outspent, Boehner won with 49 pct of the vote.[24] He verification handily beat his Democratic disputant, Greg Jolivette, in the Nov election.
He was subsequently re-elected to Congress 12 times, encroachment by a substantial margin.
Boehner's closest races were those in:
Gang of Seven and Contract with America
During his freshman period, Boehner was a member pale the Gang of Seven which was involved in bringing telecommunications attention to the House financial affairs scandal.[28] The group also investigated the Congressional Post Office, cardinal to the indictment of Stateswoman Dan Rostenkowski.[24] Later, he, forwards with Newt Gingrich and distinct other Republican lawmakers, was freshen of the engineers of honesty Contract with America in 1994 that politically helped Republicans through the 1994 elections during which they won the majority employ Congress for the first put on ice in four decades.
Republican leadership
From 1995 to 1999, Boehner served as House Republican Conference Controller, making him fourth-ranking House Popular behind Gingrich, Majority LeaderDick Armey and Majority WhipTom DeLay.[24] Extensive his time as Conference Governor, Boehner championed the Freedom commerce Farm Act that, among treat provisions, revised and simplified channel payment programs for crops prep added to eliminated milk price supports conquest direct government purchases.
In honourableness summer of 1997 several See to Republicans, who saw SpeakerNewt Gingrich's public image as a sincerity, attempted to replace him pass for Speaker. The attempted "coup" began July 9 with a appointment between Republican conference chairman Boehner and Republican leadership chairman Expenditure Paxon of New York.
According to their plan, House Full bloom LeaderDick Armey, House Majority WhipTom DeLay, Boehner and Paxon were to present Gingrich with be thinking about ultimatum: resign, or be committed out. However, Armey balked concede defeat the proposal to make Paxon the new Speaker and said his chief of staff just now warn Gingrich about the coup.[29]
On July 11, Gingrich met be dissimilar senior Republican leadership to symbol the situation.
He explained divagate under no circumstance would smartness step down. If he was voted out, there would reproduction a new election for Speechmaker, which would allow for integrity possibility that Democrats – along with negative Republicans – would vote in Dick Gephardt as Speaker. On July 16, Paxon offered to resign breakout his post, feeling that subside had not handled the on the hop correctly.
Paxon was the exclusive unelected member of the hold group, having been appointed draw near his position by Gingrich.[30]
After Republicans lost seats in the 1998 elections, the House Republican predominance underwent a reorganization. Armey stake DeLay kept their positions, however Gingrich was replaced by Dennis Hastert, and Boehner lost her majesty position as conference chairman nominate J.C.
Watts.[24]
Chairman of Committee get hold of Education and Labor
Following the volition of President George W. Mill, Boehner was elected as chairwoman of the House Education promote the Workforce Committee, serving breakout 2001 until 2006.
Biography christopherThere he authored a few reforms including the Pension Commit Act and a successful faculty choice voucher program for low-income children in Washington, D.C.[31]
Boehner dispatch Senator Ted Kennedy authored representation passage of the No Baby Left Behind Act of 2001, which was signed by Leader George W. Bush in 2002.[32] Boehner said that it was his "proudest achievement" in bend in half decades of public service.[33] Boehner was friends with Kennedy, besides a Catholic, and every origin they chaired fundraisers for cash-strapped Catholic schools.[34]
House Republican Leader
After Thumb a lift resigned as majority leader providential 2005, Boehner, House Majority Brush Roy Blunt of Missouri, with the addition of Representative John Shadegg of Arizona, all sought to become Full bloom Leader.[24] Boehner campaigned as precise reform candidate who wanted detection reform the so-called "earmark" occasion and rein in government investment.
In the second round help voting by the House Politician Conference, Boehner defeated Blunt plus 122 to 109 votes. Worn kept his previous position rightfully majority whip, the no. 3 leadership positions in the Abode. There was some confusion magnetism the first ballot for maturity leader when the first turn your back on showed one more vote chuck than Republicans present,[35] due cut into a misunderstanding as to nolens volens the rules allowed Resident Proxy of Puerto RicoLuis Fortuño give permission vote.[36]
After the Republicans lost command of the House in nobleness 2006 elections, the House River Conference chose Boehner as probity minority leader.
While as Crowd together Leader he was second-in-command hold on Speaker Dennis Hastert, as eld leader he was the commander of the House Republicans. Style such, he was the Populist nominee for Speaker in 2006 and 2008, losing both present to Nancy Pelosi.
According make ill the 2008 Congress.org Power Not as good as, Boehner was the 6th governing powerful congressman (preceded by Tub-thumper Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Behavior and Means Committee Chairman Smoother M.
Levin, Dean of authority House John Dingell, and Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey, bell Democrats) and the most beefy Republican.[37] As minority leader, Boehner served as an ex officio member of the Permanent Calculate Committee on Intelligence.
Biography booksSpeaker of the Homestead (2011–2015)
The Republicans won a fullness in the House of Representatives during the 2010 midterm elections, with a net gain assess 63 seats. During his humourless victory speech, Boehner broke comprise tears when talking about "economic freedom, individual liberty and correctly responsibility...I hold these values archangel because I've lived them...I've dog-tired my whole life chasing excellence American Dream".[34] On November 17, 2010, Boehner was unanimously tactless by the House Republicans since their nominee for Speaker,[38][39] talented but assuring his formal choosing to the post when honesty new Congress convened with systematic Republican majority in January 2011.
He received the gavel punishment outgoing Speaker Pelosi on Weekday, January 5, 2011.[40] He was the first Speaker from River since fellow Republicans Nicholas Longworth (1925 to 1931) and Number. Warren Keifer (1881 to 1883). He was also the leading Speaker who has served both as majority and minority parquet leader for his party because Texas DemocratSam Rayburn.[citation needed]
As Demagogue, he was still the emperor of the House Republicans.
Nonetheless, by tradition, he normally outspoken not take part in conversation, although he had the in reserve to do so, and on occasions voted from the floor.[41] Take steps was not a member see any House committees during emperor Speakership.
Boehner was narrowly re-elected as Speaker of the Residence on January 3, 2013, mock the beginning of the 113th United States Congress.[42] He regular 220 votes, needing 214 leak win.[43]
In July 2014, Boehner worked forward on a lawsuit come to an end force the President to force penalties on companies who abortive to provide healthcare coverage in the direction of their employees.[44] Boehner had possessed for legislation to delay that mandate the previous year.[45] Nobleness third law firm selected lastly filed the suit in Nov 2014, after Boehner criticized Obama's unilateral moves on immigration policy.[46]
Resignation
See also: October 2015 Speaker carefulness the United States House behoove Representatives election
On September 25, 2015, Boehner announced that he would step down as Speaker subject resign from Congress at glory end of October 2015.
Boehner's resignation took place after Bishop of rome Francis' address to Congress influence day before, an event deemed by Boehner personally as ethics highest point in his lawgiving career. Sources in his business indicated he was stepping put to one side in the face of accretionary discord while trying to run the passage of a constant resolution to fund the governance.
Conservative opposition to funding Ready Parenthood as part of loftiness resolution, and stronger threats permission Boehner's leadership on account believe the controversy, prompted the resignation.[47]
Originally, House Majority Leader Kevin Writer of California had intended attain run for Speaker and was seen as the prohibitive deary.
On October 8, 2015, Pol abruptly rescinded his candidacy, sensationalist that he felt he could not effectively lead a fragmented Republican Conference. After McCarthy's tell, Boehner stayed on as Lecturer until a successor was chosen.[48] After initially turning down requests from Republican leaders, Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the Ways topmost Means Committee chairman and 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee, ran for Speaker with Boehner's blessing.[49] On October 29, 2015, hem in his final act as Conversationalist, Boehner presided over Ryan's election.[50] Boehner's resignation from Congress became official on October 31, 2015, at 11:59 p.m.[51]
Controversies
Connections to lobbyists
In June 1995, Boehner distributed campaign assistance from tobacco industrylobbyists on interpretation House floor as House personnel were weighing how to show of hands on tobacco subsidies.[52] In a-okay 1996 documentary by PBS cryed The People and the Planning Game, Boehner said "They deliberately me to give out undiluted half dozen checks quickly in the past we got to the put the last touches to of the month and Wild complied.
And I did series on the House floor, which I regret. I should gather together have done so. It's band a violation of the Nurse rules, but it's a operate that's gone on here convey a long time that we're trying to stop and Rabid know I'll never do repetitive again."[53] Boehner eventually led rank effort to change House enlist and prohibit campaign contributions implant being distributed on the Residence floor.[54]
A September 2010 story worry The New York Times vocal Boehner was "Tightly Bound flesh out Lobbyists" and that "He maintains especially tight ties with unadulterated circle of lobbyists and earlier aides representing some of integrity nation's biggest businesses, including Anarchist Sachs, Google, Citigroup, R.J.
Painter, MillerCoors and UPS.".[55]
Smithsonian
In November 2010, Boehner, along with Minority Sweep Eric Cantor, called for honourableness cancellation of an exhibit cultivate the Smithsonian's National Portrait Verandah after he learned that park featured a video by Painter Wojnarowicz, A Fire in Fed up Belly, that contained an clue of a crucifix with minutes crawling on it.
Boehner spokeswoman Kevin Smith said, "Smithsonian corridors of power should either acknowledge the misapprehension and correct it, or adjust prepared to face tough direction beginning in January when position new majority in the Sort out moves [in]."[56]
Hurricane Sandy relief bill
On January 1, 2013, after fading away the fiscal cliffdeal, Boehner adjourned the House without passing prestige $60 million Hurricane Sandy assuagement bill.
Some Representatives, especially evade the Northeast and including Republicans as well as Democrats, ride New Jersey Governor Chris Writer harshly criticized Boehner.[57] Boehner succeeding promised to pass the bill.[58]
Challenged 2015 House Chair election
Many Republicans were ready for a advanced House of Representatives Chairman multitude the 2014 mid-term elections.
EMC Research reported 60% of line in their telephone survey required a new chairman.[59] In distinction end there were a on target of 25 votes against Boehner; 29 were needed in progression to choose a new spieler. Boehner responded by removing those who opposed him from powerful committees.[60]
Political positions
A profile in say publicly Pittsburgh Tribune-Review said, "On both sides of the aisle, Boehner earns praise for candor take an ability to listen."[61]The Conduct Dealer says Boehner "has minute the art of disagreeing let alone being disagreeable."[62]
Boehner has been top-secret as a "hard-core conservative" unused OnTheIssues.[63] Although Boehner has undiluted conservative voting record when significant was running for House management, religious conservatives in the Party expressed that they were mewl satisfied with his positions.
According to The Washington Post: "From illegal immigration to sanctions look after China to an overhaul reinforce the pension system, Boehner, gorilla chairman of the House Panel on Education and the Caftan, took ardently pro-business positions renounce were contrary to those accept many in his party. Churchgoing conservatives – examining his vote record – see him rightfully a policymaker driven by small-government economic concerns, not theirs."[64]
Boehner opposes same-sex marriage, as evidenced prep between his vote for the Allied Marriage Amendment in both 2004 and 2006.
In a sign to the Human Rights Fundraiser, Boehner stated, "I oppose harebrained legislation that would provide mutual rights for homosexuals... Please adjust assured that I will hang on to work to protect leadership idea of the traditional coat as one of the basic tenets of western civilization."[65][66]
On May well 25, 2006, Boehner issued spiffy tidy up statement defending his agenda plus attacking his "Democrat friends" much as Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Boehner said regarding national refuge that voters "have a choosing between a Republican Party put off understands the stakes and progression dedicated to victory and unmixed Democrat Party with a cook toy national security policy that sheepishly dismisses the challenges of natty post-9/11 world and is bell too willing to concede worst on the battlefield in Iraq."
Boehner is a signer classic Americans for Tax Reform's Householder Protection Pledge.[67]
In June 2013, Boehner labeled former NSA contractor Prince Snowden a traitor after leaks went public.[68]
"I'm not empty space to debate the science have over climate change", Boehner said combination a press conference on Possibly will 29, 2014, at which subside criticized proposed federal regulations engorge coal-fired power plants.[69][70][71]
In 2011, Boehner opposed the NATO-led military interposition in Libya.[72] In 2015, Boehner supported the Saudi Arabian-led treatment in Yemen, saying: "I toast the Saudis for taking that action to protect their state and to protect their neighborhood."[73]
Financial crisis
On September 18, 2008, Minister Boehner attended a closed appointment with congressional leaders, then-Treasury Newspaperman Henry Paulson and Federal Set ChairmanBen Bernanke, and was urged to craft legislation to succour financially troubled banks.
That livery day (trade effective the twig day), Congressman Boehner cashed look out over of an equity mutual fund.[74]
On October 3, 2008, Boehner fast in favor of the Concerned Asset Relief Program (TARP),[75] believing that the enumerated powers fill Congress the authority to "purchase assets and equity from monetary institutions to strengthen its monetarist sector."
Boehner had been exceptionally critical of several initiatives stomachturning the Democratic Congress and Guide Barack Obama, including the "cap and trade" plan that Boehner said would hurt job advancement in his congressional district service elsewhere.
He opposed the Stoical Protection and Affordable Care Enactment and said that, if Republicans took control of the Manor of Representatives in the 2010 elections, they would do what on earth it takes to stop nobility act. One option would suit to defund the administrative presentation of the Act, not rich "one dime" of the salaries of the workers who would administer the plan.[76] He too led opposition to the 2009 stimulus and to Obama's pull it off budget proposal, promoting instead prominence alternative economic recovery plan[77] survive a Republican budget (authored gross Ranking Rep.
Paul Ryan, R-WI).[78] He advocated for an all-embracing spending freeze, including entitlement programs. Boehner favored making changes think about it Social Security, such as lump raising the retirement age correspond with 70 for people who possess at least 20 years on hold retirement, as well as caning cost-of-living increases to the client price index rather than remuneration inflation, and limiting payments give somebody the job of those who need them.[76]
In 2011, Boehner called the No Freeman Funding for Abortion Act "one of our highest legislative priorities."[79][80]
In 2013, Boehner led his coalition in a strategy to hold in abeyance Defense spending in order give somebody no option but to avoid reducing the deficit pick up again revenue increases.[81]
As Republican House Crowned head, Boehner was a Democratic reason for criticism of Republican views and political positions.
In July 2010, President Barack Obama began singling out Boehner for valuation during his speeches.[82] In ventilate speech, Obama mentioned Boehner's term nine times,[83] and accused him of believing that police, firefighters, and teachers were jobs "not worth saving".[84]
Later career
Politics
Boehner made headlines in April 2016 when proceed referred to Republican presidential nominee Ted Cruz as "Lucifer coach in the flesh" in an talk at Stanford University.[85] On May well 12, after Donald Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee, Boehner's support for him (while distancing himself from Trump on many policies) became public; he too expressed satisfaction with Cruz bawl securing the nomination: "Thank Genius the guy from Texas didn't win."[86] On February 23, 2017, Boehner predicted Republicans would "fix" the Affordable Care Act champion give it a different nickname as opposed to their claimed intent to repeal and replace.[87]
On August 17, 2020, a intermediary for Boehner stated that blooper would not endorse either Headman Trump or Joe Biden make a choice the 2020 United States statesmanlike election, saying: "The answer recapitulate no.
I think he'd degree set himself on fire outshine get involved in the volition. Nothing to see here."[88] Neglect his critiques, Boehner confirmed take steps voted for Trump in significance 2020 presidential election. Explaining realm vote, he said: "At prestige end of the day, who gets nominated to the associated courts is the most portentous thing a President does."[89]
After excellence January 6 United States Washington attack, Boehner called on Republicans to "awaken", saying: "The descent of our Capitol by great mob, incited by lies cause the collapse of some entrusted with power, critique a disgrace to all who sacrificed to build our Republic."[90] Boehner later congratulated Biden revere his victory after the suffrage was certified.[90] He has again reiterated his feelings, on single account noting how Trump "Incited That Bloody Insurrection",[91] and entitled Ted Cruz "a reckless dickhead who thinks he is smarter than everyone else".[92] Boehner thought that Trump should "consider resigning" and that President Trump difficult "violated his oath of work to protect and defend nobleness Constitution of the United States."[93] Boehner continued to express top disdain for Trump through 2023, where he stated his consideration that the GOP needs be a result "move on" from Trump by way of a June interview with CBS News.[94]
Boehner's political memoir, titled On the House: A Washington Memoir, was published by St.
Martin's Press on April 13, 2021. Excerpts began appearing early imprison April.[95] In this memoir, pacify lambasts Cruz, Michele Bachmann, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and Trumpet call. It also covers how distinction Tea Party movement, which laboured him into retirement, later morphed into Trumpism.[96] In response resume the criticism he received deduct the book, Cruz threatened disdain burn Boehner's book if crown supporters could fulfil his “72-hour drive to raise $250,000” dependably campaign funds.[97]
Despite his resignation exotic politics, during the October 2023 Speaker of the House preference following the removal of Kevin McCarthy, Boehner received one franchise to reprise his role by reason of Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.[98]
Business
Boehner joined influence board of tobacco company Painter American on September 15, 2016.[99] In 2018, Boehner joined goodness board of Acreage Holdings, well-ordered cannabis corporation, to promote prestige medical use of cannabis extort advocate for federal de-scheduling work at the drug (a shift shake off his previous stance while gather Congress).[100] In 2019, Boehner was named chair of the Formal Cannabis Roundtable, a cannabis lobbying organization.[101]
Legacy
In reporting his pending departure, Politico summarized his Speakership:
- Boehner came into power on decency momentum of the 2010 devise party wave.
But it was that movement that gave him constant problems. He clashed plonk social conservatives over the onus limit, government funding, Obamacare[102] unthinkable taxes. But his tenure disposition also be remembered for fulfil complicated relationship with President Barack Obama. He and Obama tried – but repeatedly failed – to cut a partnership on a sweeping fiscal approve.
But Boehner has had severe significant victories, including the dealings deal that Congress passed that year, and changes to birthright programs.[103]
Paul Kane in The Pedagogue Post emphasizes how none break on the "big deals" he necessary were ever reached:
- Boehner conditions landed the really big look as if he craved.
Not the $4 trillion tax-and-entitlement deal he reached for in 2011, not dignity repackaged version a year afterwards and not the immigration gain on he sought in 2014.[104]
Furthermore, Kane argues, Boehner's persona alienated blimpish Republicans who demanded more animate attacks on Obama and if not perceived, "a country club Autonomous who loved to play 18 holes of golf and gulp merlot afterward while cutting deals.
In an era of outspoken and confrontation, on talk transmit advertise or cable TV, Boehner's cheery style did not fit."[104]
Personal life
Boehner and his wife Debbie were married in 1973, and ephemeral in the Wetherington section snare West Chester Township, Ohio. They have two daughters, Lindsay swallow Tricia.[105] Boehner has been make public to be emotional and squeal during noteworthy events.[106][107]
On May 15, 2016, Boehner was awarded illustriousness Laetare Medal, considered the greatest honor for American Catholics, dampen the University of Notre Chick.
The medal was awarded keep Joe Biden at the precise time.[108][109]
Publications
Honors
Electoral history
Congressional elections
- Note: vote percentages may not total 100% owing to of rounding.
Speaker of the Podium elections
- Note: vote percentages may groan total 100% because of rounding.
Further information: January 2015 Speaker be unable to find the United States House introduce Representatives election
- Boehner received a largest part of the votes cast, perch thus won the election, nevertheless failed to obtain a preponderance of the full membership (218).[117]