WASHINGTON — The House has re-elected John Boehner to be speaker in the new Republican-led Congress, despite opposition by tea party lawmakers that underscored party divisions.The Ohio Republican garnered the votes of 216 GOP lawmakers as Congress convened Tuesday. That was enough for him to win a third two-year term leading the House.
But in an embarrassing slap, 25 Republicans voted for other candidates or voted present. They consider Boehner to be too accommodating and not conservative enough.
Some unlikely suspects also received votes.
so "Senator Rand Paul" got a vote for House speaker - from Clawson (FL)
— Rick Klein (@rickklein) January 6, 2015
Their repudiation of Boehner was an awkward display of GOP schisms at a time when party leaders want to show voters that they can govern effectively. They want to show they won’t be forced by tea party legislators into unwinnable, unpopular showdowns with President Barack Obama.
Boehner received 216 of the 408 votes cast. Under the Constitution, the speaker does not have to be a member of the House.
In 2013, Boehner received 220 votes, with 12 Republicans voting against him.
Here are the people who received votes and the vote totals from Tuesday:
—216. Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio.
—164. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
—12. Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Fla.
—3. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas.
—2. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla.
—2. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.
—1. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn.
—1. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.
—1. Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C.
—1. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C.
—1. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.
—1. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
—1. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
—1. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.
—1. Colin Powell, former secretary of State.
—1. Present
ALAN FRAM, Associated Press
