File photo of John Boehner
Internal divisions in the Republican Party boiled over Friday with the resignation of House Speaker John Boehner, who spent years repelling rebellious conservatives who accused him of lacking fire to battle Barack Obama and his Democrats.
Just one day after fulfilling his personal 20-year dream of bringing the pope before Congress, Boehner -- who openly wept Thursday beside the pope -- told his Republican flock that he will resign at the end of October.
The 65-year-old's surprise departure after a quarter century in Congress and nearly five years in the Speaker's chair will spark an intense battle for control of the House as the United States gears up for a presidential election in November 2016.
"My mission every day is to fight for a smaller, less costly, and more accountable government," he said in a statement.
"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."
House Appropriations Committee chairman Hal Rogers told reporters it was "a shake-up."
Rogers added that he and lawmakers will watch carefully to see whether one of the conservatives that has been pressing for Boehner's ouster might be able to take over the top job.
The intense tug of war between the establishment leadership and hardcore conservatives, who have challenged Boehner on everything from federal spending and government shutdowns to anti-abortion fights, has often spilled into the open.
The rank-and-file often called for Boehner's head, causing deep friction in the House during his tenure.
In January he narrowly won a third term as speaker, surviving a stiff challenge from conservatives furious that he had not done enough to fight Obama's immigration and healthcare policies.
"Today the establishment lost," conservative Republican Tim Huelskamp, who has clashed with Boehner, said in a blunt tweet.
A Boehner aide signalled that the divisive internal brawl was a prime factor in Boehner's resignation.
"The Speaker believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution," the aide said, confirming Boehner will step down on October 30.
A key question is whether Boehner's deputy, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, is able to win the speakership in a chamber vote and step into the position, which puts him second in line of succession to the presidency, after the vice president.
Although with core conservatives baying for establishment blood that is by no means a foregone conclusion.
A stone-faced McCarthy walked past microphones set up for Boehner in the Capitol and declined to answer reporters' questions.
"Now is the time for our conference to focus on healing and unifying to face the challenges ahead and always do what is best for the American people," McCarthy said in a statement.
But in a signal that unity may not be the first step, the news of Boehner's resignation was met with a roar and a standing ovation when it was announced at a conservative summit in Washington.
- 'Boehner dethroned' -
The succession battle could plunge the lower house of Congress into political turmoil, with an emboldened conservative wing eager to put its stamp on the new leadership.
"Chaos and dysfunction in House GOP ranks finally takes its toll," House Democrat Gerry Connolly said on Twitter.
"Speaker Boehner is dethroned."
As the behind-the-scenes scramble for Boehner's chair kicked into full gear, tributes poured in for the man who led the House through some of its deepest tumult in a generation, while also securing an unprecedented Republican House majority.
"I am eternally grateful for the steady, principled leadership Speaker Boehner has provided the House," the chamber's number three Republican, Steve Scalise, said in a statement.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, one of the Democrats who worked most closely with Boehner on crunch negotiations over spending, offered glowing praise for his departing friend.
While he did not always agree with Boehner, "he never, ever told me something that wasn't true," Reid said on the Senate floor.
But Reid issued a warning as well, saying Republican core conservatives "have taken over control of the party."
"To say that I will miss John Boehner is a tremendous understatement," Reid said.
Boehner dodged a press availability after he addressed his conference, opting instead to exit through a back door.
Asked by a reporter there if a weight was now off his shoulders, a smiling Boehner said: "It's a wonderful day."