U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, who has repeatedly been challenged by the conservative wing of his Republican Party, told his rank and file he will resign from the top House job at the end of October, Representative John Mica told reporters on Friday.
The representative said that Mr. Boehner decided to resign to try to avoid further tumult within the Republican party.
"The Speaker believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution," the aide said in an email, asking not to be named. "For the good of the Republican conference and the institution, he will resign the Speakership and his seat in Congress, effective October 30."
