Boehner Won't Fill Appropriations Seat Until After GOP Retreat

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) told Republican lawmakers today that he will not fill an open seat on the powerul Appropriations Committee until after a Republican policy retreat. A number of Republicans are vying for the spot vacated by former Rep. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), who has been appointed to the Senate. The Republican retreat will take place from Jan. 24-26 at the Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia.

Boehner told lawmakers Wednesday during their first closed-door meeting of the year that he wants them to engage in a very serious discussion about earmarks, specifically noting the 9,000 earmarks in last year's omnibus spending package.

"Leader Boehner has informed all announced candidates for the vacant appropriations seat that the Steering Committee will not make an appointment until after the House Republican retreat, where the Leader has urged that a conference-wide discussion take place on earmarks," said a House GOP leadership aide.