House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) gave his first public remarks Friday on his decision to resign from Congress at the end of October, singing "Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah" on his way to the podium and saying he was very comfortable with his choice to step down.
"This isn’t about me," Boehner said. "It’s about the people. It’s about the institution."
Boehner said he decided to step down to avoid "prolonged leadership turmoil" amid deep dissatisfaction in the Tea Party wing of the party.
"Prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution," Boehner said. "To that end, I will resign the Speakership and my seat in Congress on October 30."
Boehner said he is proud of what the House has accomplished under his leadership, and that he was committed to fighting for "smaller, less costly, and more accountable government."
Boehner has had some success in limiting the expansion of government during his speakership, notably through a ban on earmarks—spending projects that deficit hawks have long pointed out are often wasteful.
Tea Party members of congress have long charged that Boehner has not been aggressive enough in promoting conservative priorities in light of the largest Republican congressional majority since World War II. Boehner’s allies counter that there are limits to Congress’s power when a president of the other party is in power.
Boehner said he has planned to resign for over a year, but decided to keep working for the good of the party after Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R., Va.) lost his primary election in 2014.
On Friday, Boehner said he woke up, said his prayers, and decided today was the day.
Boehner, known for his gruff affect that is occasionally punctuated by displays of emotion, appeared at ease on Friday. He entered the press conference singing the opening lines from the song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah."
"My oh my, what a wonderful day. I used to sing that on the way to work every day," Boehner said.
Full statement below:
WASHINGTON, DC – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement:
"My mission every day is to fight for a smaller, less costly, and more accountable government. Over the last five years, our majority has advanced conservative reforms that will help our children and their children. I am proud of what we have accomplished.
"The first job of any Speaker is to protect this institution that we all love. It was my plan to only serve as Speaker until the end of last year, but I stayed on to provide continuity to the Republican Conference and the House. It is my view, however, that prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution. To that end, I will resign the Speakership and my seat in Congress on October 30.
"Today, my heart is full with gratitude for my family, my colleagues, and the people of Ohio’s Eighth District. God bless this great country that has given me - the son of a bar owner from Cincinnati—the chance to serve."