Outgoing U.S. House Speaker John Boehner may save his party — in spite of itself. And for that — once the dust settles — he will be viewed by history as a hero.
Boehner struck a deal with his Democratic counterparts and with the White House that will not only head off a possible government shutdown in December but will prevent similar budgetary showdowns for two years — and that means after the 2016 presidential election.
The $80 billion spending plan (over two years), which would also increase the federal borrowing limit through March 15, 2017, could come up for a vote as early as today.
“The agreement isn’t perfect by any means, but the alternative was a clean debt limit increase” without entitlement reform or money for troops, Boehner said yesterday. “So this is a good deal.”
And he was perfectly candid in acknowledging that part of his intention was to “clean out the barn” for the next speaker. .
“I’ve done my best to clean it up,” he said. …
The genuinely disgruntled in the House GOP — such as some members of the Freedom Caucus — no longer have any weapon to use against the departing Boehner, and they know it.
“We can’t stop it. He’s in league with the Democrats,” said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and, yes, he was likely thinking “devil” even as he said “Democrats.”
But thanks to John Boehner, Massie and his kindred spirits will likely survive to fight another day — even if they’ll never admit it.
— Boston Herald,
Oct. 28
