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Herrera Beutler calls decision by Boehner ‘selfless act’

By Lauren Dake, Columbian Political Writer
Published: September 25, 2015, 8:26pm

U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, called Friday’s surprising news that House Speaker John Boehner would resign a selfless decision.

“I thank Speaker Boehner for his dedicated service to our country in a difficult and thankless job, for guiding the House through often-troubled waters, and for his selfless act today,” Herrera Beutler said in a statement.

Unlike some of her Republican colleagues, the three-term congresswoman has had a good relationship with the speaker.

In 2012, Boehner traveled to Vancouver to attend a campaign kickoff for the Southwest Washington congresswoman, bringing in about $50,000 in a single event. More recently, in 2014, he interrupted votes on the House floor to introduce Herrera Beutler and the doctor who helped her daughter survive an often terminal fetal condition. Boehner choked up — Herrera Beutler was holding Abigail, her baby — and lawmakers from both parties broke into a standing ovation.

In January, Herrera Beutler voted in favor of re-electing Boehner, R-Ohio, to his post as speaker. About two dozen more conservative Republicans voted against the incumbent.

“I wish him the best in the next act of his distinguished career,” she said on Friday. “We will continue to move forward and work to effectively address the economic and national security challenges we face.”

Boehner has been mired in an attempt to avert a government shutdown with a contingent from within his party that said it would not vote for a measure unless it removes funds for Planned Parenthood. Herrera Beutler voted earlier to stop sending taxpayer money to Planned Parenthood.

But, her office noted, Herrera Beutler believes in building coalitions and finding areas of agreement with as many fellow lawmakers as possible.

Boehner’s decision came on the heels of Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. Capitol. Boehner, who is Catholic and famously emotional, could be seen wiping away tears as the pope addressed a joint session of Congress.

Herrera Beutler, who isn’t Catholic, was present and said she was humbled by the historic nature of a pope addressing a joint session of Congress. It was the first time that’s happened.

Boehner’s announcement also reportedly set off a flurry of action within the Republican caucus to determine who will fill the House’s leadership positions. House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, who is Herrera Beutler’s former boss and mentor, is believed to be vying for the majority leader’s position, according to a Politico report.

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Columbian Political Writer