House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said he wants to remembered as a leader of the House that “was fair to all and protected the institution.”
“When you look at my job, there’s one person responsible for the institution of the House. And that falls into my lap. It’s my number one responsibility,” Politico quoted him as saying in an interview that aired Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
“But in addition to that, I actually do believe that opening up the process, allowing committees to do their work, bringing bills through committee and a more fair and open process on the floor, will begin to heal this institution,” he said. “There’s partisan scar tissue all over this place. But the more that I can open it up and allow members to work together, over time that partisan scar tissue will begin to melt and go away. It’s a long-term proposition, but I’m committed to it.”
Boehner said “he’s an optimist,” despite the current gridlock in Washington.
“Hope springs eternal,” he said. “I’m an optimist. I wouldn’t be sitting here if I wasn’t.”
