House Members Elect Boehner Speaker of the House

Rep. John Boehner & Rep. Nancy Pelosi

WASHINGTON, DC 
Wednesday, January 5, 2011

One of the first actions of the 112th U.S. House of Representatives was the election of newly elected Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH). He received 241 votes, Rep. Nancy Pelosi  (D-CA) got  173, and 19 voted present or for other members. 

During his speech to his colleagues on the floor he expressed his belief that both parties can find a way of working together, “we can disagree without being disagreeable to each other.” Also saying, “We may have different – sometimes, very different – ideas for how to go about achieving the common good, but it is our shared goal.  It is why we serve.” 
 

Next, Boehner presided over the ceremony to swear-in the new congress, which included 96 new members, 87 Republicans and 9 Democrats.

House Republicans have already released their legislative schedule for the first week, with one of their first actions being to repeal the Democrats’ new health care law with a vote scheduled for next week on the resolution. The effort is likely to be blocked in the Senate, and President Obama has also stated he would veto any repeal efforts that come to his desk. However, House Republicans say they will then try to repeal the legislation piece by piece.

Another key goal of the incoming majority is to reduce the federal budget deficit, as GOP leaders have outlined a plan to cut five percent from the House operating budget that will result in saving taxpayers an estimated $35 million. A new proposal by the GOP aims to replace the existing policy of “pay as you go” with a “cut as you go” rule.  Under the new rules, increases in mandatory spending would be paid for with spending cuts of an equal or greater amount elsewhere and not tax hikes.
 

These and other proposals on parliamentary procedure are part of the draft package for the 112th Congressional legislative rules. The House GOP Caucus approved its package during a meeting yesterday. Today, the entire House will vote on the rules submitted by both parties.

The House Democratic Caucus said yesterday that their agenda would focus on job creation, strengthening the middle class, and deficit reduction.