Prompted by the 25 conservative lawmakers who opposed his reelection earlier this week, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner defended his track record on Thursday, saying he doesn't like being called "spineless" and is in fact "the most anti-establishment Speaker" in history.
"During my years here when I voted, I had the eighth-most conservative voting record in the Congress, and it does pain me to be described as spineless or a squish," Boehner said to reporters, according to Reuters. "But what pains me the most is when they describe me as the establishment. I'm the most anti-establishment Speaker we've ever had."
"Who was the guy who got rid of earmarks? Me. Who's the guy who believes in regular order? Me," Boehner added. "Who believes in allowing more members to participate in the process from both sides of the aisle? Me."
Boehner won reelection for Speaker of the House on Tuesday, even as 25 members of his own party voted against him in the largest rebellion against a speaker incumbent since 1859, reported Reuters.
The speaker has faced significant internal challenges to his leadership over the years, especially regarding his handling of budget matters. Many of his detractors, who are often GOP conservatives, say Boehner is too quick to compromise with Democrats, is not fiscally responsible, is a poor strategizer and is weak on Republican messaging.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Boehner kicked Florida Reps. Daniel Webster and Rick Nugent off the influential Rules Committee because each voted for Webster.
Boehner said he hadn't decided whether he would reinstate Webster and Nugent.
"I'm pretty comfortable in my own skin. And I'm going to do my bext to show all of our members, Democrats and Republicans and those members who voted against me, that I'm up to the job that I was given," Boehner said.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., one of the 25 who voted against Boehner, knew of the consequences when voting for Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., instead of Boehner, and called the voting process an "illusion."
"It's a false decision for members walking in the chamber when they vote for Speaker. You don't really have a choice – it's an illusion," Massie told The Hill. "They'll be deprived of fundraising opportunities, removed from their committees, and they very well may end their political careers by voting against the Speaker."
