WASHINGTON -- Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner shocked the political world Friday when he announced his resignation at the end of October. Current and former Texas politicians expressed gratitude towards Boehner for his leadership over the last five years.
Former President George W. Bush said in a statement: "John Boehner has done an excellent job for our country as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Speaker Boehner is a master of the legislative process who has always demonstrated great respect for the institutions of Congress. I congratulate and thank him for his years of service to his constituents and thank him for his years of service to his constituents in Ohio and to the American people. Laura and I send our best wishes to John and his wife, Debbie -- and I look forward to many rounds of golf with this good man."
U.S. Rep John R. Carter (R-TX 31) released a statement saying, "I commend Speaker Boehner for his more than 25 years of service in the House. John served our great nation with dignity and served as Speaker through some very challenging times in Congress. I appreciate his service and wish him the best in his future endeavors. As we transition to new leadership, I look forward to working to bring our conference together through our shared conservative values. It is imperative that we follow a constitutionally based, conservative agenda so we can get our nation moving back in the right direction."
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said after a speech Friday, "I have long called on Republican leadership to do something unusual, which is lead," according to the Washington Post. Cruz also said, via ABC News, "There is a frustration in this country and it is volcanic."
Rep. Louis Gohmert (R-TX 1) released a lengthy statement that mentioned Boehner saying in part, "As Speaker Boehner moves on to a new chapter in his life, I truly wish both him and his family well. I have nothing but best wishes for him, wherever he will be."
Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX) issued a statement saying: "John Boehner is a very gracious man, and I wish him success in his next endeavor. My focus now is on choosing a new leader to guide the House in a conservative direction. I hope all Republicans -- including those in the Senate -- are listening to what grassroots conservatives are saying: it is time for conservative leadership and conservative principles."
Congressman Lloyd Doggett, a Texas Democrat, released a statement: "The Republican Caucus has become so rigid, so unwilling to seek common ground, that the Republican Speaker finally said, ‘I give up.' We will have a new Speaker on Halloween, but not a new way of doing business. For the American people, this is likely to be all trick and no treat. Until Republicans stop calling their own leaders liars and begin seeking bipartisan answers to the multiple challenges our country confronts, we keep facing one manufactured crisis after another."
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX 21) have not issued formal statements on Boehner's exit from the speaker job.
