Boehner makes no apologies for tumultuous Congress

By: Rebecca Kaplan
Topics: Campaign 2012

House Speaker John Boehner, with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va in background

(Credit: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

House Speaker John Boehner has big ambitions. He wants to overhaul the tax code to exclude loopholes for special interests, pass a budget authored by Wisconsin Republican Rep. Paul Ryan, greenlight an oil pipeline that spans from Canada to Texas and repeal President Obama's signature healthcare law.

This, he acknowledged Thursday, could be a difficult dream to fulfill.

"Even as we recognize the realities of today, we have to be ambitious as hell about what has to be done in the future," Boehner said at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Case in point: he questioned the future of a massive spending bill to fund transportation projects scheduled for a vote in the House next week but will be void of earmarks, the term of art for congressional spending on pet projects.

"Will it pass?" he asked. "I sure hope so, but that's not up to me," he said, noting that the ban on earmarks made it more difficult to curry votes.

"We sacrificed a tool of power that's been around for decades," he said.

Boehner also pledged that his legislative agenda will be transparent, promising "wide-open" processes to repeal the healthcare law and last month's decision by the Obama administration to require all employers to provide birth control as part of their health plans. There is an exemption for churches and other houses of worship, but the rule includes hospitals and schools affiliated with religious organizations.

Despite his difficulties wrangling a legislature filled with competing interests from long-time members and new faces loyal to the Tea Party and resistant to compromise, Boehner did not apologize for the body's frequent failure to take action.

"I'd much rather lead a tumultuous majority that listens to the people that's one that's controlled that substitutes its ill for the will of the American people," he said.

But he did caution his members that working together as a party will be necessary.

"It starts with a willingness to serve others, to serve with others that may not have the exact same outlook," he said of how they will bring about the change they want to see.

Rebecca Kaplan
Rebecca Kaplan covers the 2012 presidential campaign for CBS News and National Journal.
Follow on Twitter »

24 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 24 Comments


by Alex Vallas February 10, 2012 7:31 AM EST: Boozing Boehner should spend less time in bars with his lobbyist friends. The GOP has made a big issue of the Canada to Texas pipeline with many claiming this will create zillions of jobs. Studies have shown otherwise. Pipeline accidents could create huge environmental disasters for many states. Further, most Americans don't realize that the dirty oil shipped to Texas could be sent entirely to other countries and do zilch for the US. Otherwise why not build the refinery on the Michigan Canada border and avoid extensive transportation problems? The Ryan budget has huge negative impacts on a large percentage of Americans. It is not well thought out. It is designed for the wealthy -- no ifs, ands or buts.
The GOP tries to blame Obama for lack of progress but it is their party that has made their top priority his not being reelected. That objective has taken precedence over the welfare of the country. Even now, the GOP controlled House refused to pass a strict policy on insider trading. They seem to think they are above the law in every respect. Their attitude is abhorent.; Reply to this comment


by rayward73446 February 9, 2012 9:45 PM EST: Bohner and his repub cohorts just don't get it. They caused the financial melt down, then left Obama and the tax payers to clean it up. All the while whinning and stomping and doing absolutely nothing to help us out. Non of them, with their outdated Regan economics, deserve to be elected dog catcher let alone to the House or Senate. Let's fire them each and every one, then get the rest out of office in two years. We know who pays the republicans, and they do not believe that is us the taxpayer. I am tired of paying for tax cuts the wealthy. Take them back to 35 and 45% taxes and they might actually hire someone.; Reply to this comment


by obwan222 February 9, 2012 8:22 PM EST: "Closing Loopholes and building a pipeline that would reduce America's dependence on middle-eastern oil sound like a good start."

Except we're still waiting for them to close the first loophole that allows rich people to get tax benefits that no else can receive.

And oil sent through a pipeline to the coast won't reduce dependence because oil is sold on the open market. That oil is just as likely to end up in China or Bolivia as it is in America.

So except for the fact that his ideas are delusional, they're pretty good.

How about really reducing dependence on oil in general? And moving towards renewable resources that can't be embargoed?

And closing loopholes that allow rich people to pay lower tax rates than people who work for a living?

Those sound like good ideas to me.; Reply to this comment


by ProgressNow February 9, 2012 8:08 PM EST: by Don_From_IL February 9, 2012 7:53 PM EST
Well, we have not seen that happen. Personally I hope Nancy does not get re-elected, she is useless
----

She presided over one of the most productive congresses of modern time.; Reply to this comment


by ProgressNow February 9, 2012 8:07 PM EST: by Don_From_IL February 9, 2012 7:53 PM EST
Well, we have not seen that happen. Personally I hope Nancy does not get re-elected, she is useless
----

She presided over one of the most productive congresses of modern time.; Reply to this comment


by ProgressNow February 9, 2012 6:25 PM EST: Going to be nice watching Bone-head turn the gavel back over to Nancy in Jan.; Reply to this comment


by noloyalisti February 9, 2012 5:39 PM EST: It is true, beside Robmee, you could not come up with better poster boys for the Top 1% ers who have destroyed the American Dream for so many Americans. And put so many middle classers into the poor and made so many poor give up hope.; Reply to this comment

by Raptorsmasher February 9, 2012 5:20 PM EST

Republicans are doomed in November!

Reply to this comment


by noloyalisti February 9, 2012 5:37 PM EST: They really should be purged from America and banned form public office after what they have done to America. We have enough corporatist wackos in the Dems party.


by troutfishman2 February 9, 2012 5:19 PM EST: "tool of power"

Good term for Boehner.; Reply to this comment


by WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING February 9, 2012 4:51 PM EST: Perhaps he should have used the term "petulant children" instead of "tumultuous majority".; Reply to this comment