Boehner Elected Speaker-Designate
The Hill reports:
House Republicans unanimously elected Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) to be the Speaker-designate of the House of Representatives.
As expected, members of the House GOP conference voted for the Ohio Republican as their choice to be the 61st Speaker of the House on his 61st birthday.Presumptive incoming Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) gave Boehner's nominating speech.
Even though Boehner's race was uncontested, under conference rules, each person in the 112th GOP conference must cast a vote to have on record.
The entire House technically elects the Speaker on the first day of business for each new Congress. Until that time, however, Boehner will be Speaker-designate.Outgoing GOP Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) made a motion to allow all incoming members, including those currently locked in
contested races, to vote for the new slate of GOP leaders. NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) was recognized to introduce the new members.
Therefore, 244 members, members-elect and those in contested races, were able to voice their vote of approval for Boehner.The entire conference will then vote for a slate of uncontested races for positions in the 112th majority leadership team: Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) as Majority Leader, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as Majority Whip, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) as GOP Conference Chairman, Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rogers (R-Wash.) as Conference Vice-Chair, Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) as Conference Secretary and Sessions as National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman.
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