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US Speaker John Boehner to leave Congress US Speaker John Boehner to leave Congress
(35 minutes later)
Speaker of the US House of Representatives, John Boehner, will resign from his leadership position and give up his seat at the end of October. Speaker of the US House of Representatives John Boehner will resign from his leadership position and give up his seat at the end of October.
It is unclear why he is quitting but one of his aides warned of "prolonged leadership turmoil" if he had stayed.It is unclear why he is quitting but one of his aides warned of "prolonged leadership turmoil" if he had stayed.
Mr Boehner has been under pressure from the conservative wing of his party ever since he took the job in 2011.Mr Boehner has been under pressure from the conservative wing of his party ever since he took the job in 2011.
The news comes a day after an emotional Mr Boehner, a Catholic, hosted Pope Francis at the US Congress.The news comes a day after an emotional Mr Boehner, a Catholic, hosted Pope Francis at the US Congress.
The 65-year-old was expected to make a public announcement but he failed to appear and left the Capitol building through a backdoor. His resignation makes him the first casualty from the new anti-establishment wave in the Republican Party, says the BBC's Anthony Zurcher.
"It's a wonderful day," was the only comment he made to reporters. The 65-year-old said in a written statement that his final day would be 30 October and noted that his "heart is full with gratitude". He will make a public statement later.
He assumed the leadership position in January 2011, when Republicans took control of the House. However, since then he has faced down several rebellions.He assumed the leadership position in January 2011, when Republicans took control of the House. However, since then he has faced down several rebellions.
In a statement, one of his aides said: "The Speaker believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution."In a statement, one of his aides said: "The Speaker believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution."
The aide said the speaker had planned to resign last year. The aide said Mr Boehner had planned to resign last year.
The resignation comes as Republicans have been deliberating over plans to defund women's healthcare provider Planned Parenthood.
The organisation has come under fire from anti-abortion activists who claimed its employees were selling foetal organs.
Hardline conservatives have urged the leadership to stall a government funding bill - a move that could see the US government shut down next week for the second time in as many years - if language defunding the healthcare provider is not included.
Analysis - Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporterAnalysis - Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporter
Mr Boehner becomes the first casualty in this new anti-establishment wave in the Republican Party.Mr Boehner becomes the first casualty in this new anti-establishment wave in the Republican Party.
The challenge of managing the day-to-day operations of the House of Representatives while satisfying an increasingly unruly - and growing - faction of hardcore conservative backbenchers has finally brought him down.The challenge of managing the day-to-day operations of the House of Representatives while satisfying an increasingly unruly - and growing - faction of hardcore conservative backbenchers has finally brought him down.
There once was a time when a speaker could bend the House of Representatives to his will by offering rewards and meting out punishment for transgressions.There once was a time when a speaker could bend the House of Representatives to his will by offering rewards and meting out punishment for transgressions.
Those days are long gone, as members of Congress now answer to outside constituencies and interests.Those days are long gone, as members of Congress now answer to outside constituencies and interests.
The speaker's resignation comes as Republicans have been deliberating over plans to defund women's healthcare provider Planned Parenthood. More from Anthony: John Boehner resigns and a US government shutdown looms
The organisation has come under fire from anti-abortion activists who claimed its employees were selling foetal organs.
Hardline conservatives have urged the leadership to stall a government funding bill - a move that could see the US government shut down next week for the second time in as many years - if language defunding the healthcare provider is not included.
Rep Kevin McCarthy, a top pick to replace Mr Boehner, said in a written statement: "It takes profound humility to step down from a position of power."Rep Kevin McCarthy, a top pick to replace Mr Boehner, said in a written statement: "It takes profound humility to step down from a position of power."
Now is the time to focus on "healing and unifying" to face the challenges ahead, he added.Now is the time to focus on "healing and unifying" to face the challenges ahead, he added.
The speaker's Democratic counterpart pulled no punches in a morning news conference held after the announcement.The speaker's Democratic counterpart pulled no punches in a morning news conference held after the announcement.
Describing Mr Boehner's resignation as "seismic", House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, "The disarray among House Republicans, their obsession with shutting down government at the expense of women's health needs to be reckoned with and recognised".Describing Mr Boehner's resignation as "seismic", House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, "The disarray among House Republicans, their obsession with shutting down government at the expense of women's health needs to be reckoned with and recognised".
On Thursday, Pope Francis became the first pontiff to address a joint session of Congress following an invitation from the Catholic House speaker.On Thursday, Pope Francis became the first pontiff to address a joint session of Congress following an invitation from the Catholic House speaker.
Mr Boehner's staff said that he had intended to resign at the end of last year, but the surprise defeat of then House Majority Leader Eric Cantor "changed that calculation".Mr Boehner's staff said that he had intended to resign at the end of last year, but the surprise defeat of then House Majority Leader Eric Cantor "changed that calculation".