Boehner foe: New speaker must represent 'voices of people'

Rep. Mark Meadows

The congressman who filed a "motion to vacate the chair" this summer in opposition to House Speaker John Boehner says a new speaker needs to represent the "voices of the American people."

The comment came from Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C, who unflinchingly has been critical of Boehner's cooperation with the Obama administration's agenda, after Boehner on Friday announced he will resign from his leadership post and the House at the end of October.

Meadows' motion was the first time in 105 years that a GOP congressman filed a motion to remove the House speaker.

The issue was not brought to a vote.

On Friday, Meadows said, "Speaker Boehner has served honorably during a difficult time for Republicans when the threat of a veto from the White House constantly impedes our legislative agenda.

"At times I differed with Speaker Boehner on policy or procedural positions, but I commend him for his honorable service, his humility, his undeniable love for his country and his desire to serve this great nation."

He continued: "I look forward to an open and inclusive discussion as the House pursues new leadership. There are critically important issues the House must address in the coming months.

"It is of the utmost importance that our new leadership reflect the diverse makeup of the House Republican Conference and, ultimately, that the voices of the American people are heard through their elected representatives."

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As WND reported, the motion to vacate was referred to a committee filled with leadership loyalists.

The motion charged that Boehner was weakening the power of Congress, "thereby making Congress subservient to the Executive and Judicial branches, diminishing the voice of the American People."

It also charged that Boehner used his leadership position in the House to "punish Members who vote according to their conscience instead of the will of the Speaker."

It was only last June when GOP leaders fired Meadows from his subcommittee chairmanship, but the reaction from conservatives nationwide prompted a quick retreat and he was reinstated.

At the time his motion was filed, Meadows said in a radio interview: "I felt like I had to take action on behalf of the American people. For all the millions of American who felt like we're not accomplishing much in Washington, D.C., I felt like it was a move I had to make."

Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., said at the time that GOP leadership was "not listening to the American people" – especially by preventing quick votes on the hot-button topics this year of "same-sex marriage" and federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

The following is the full text of Meadows' resolution:

Whereas the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 114th Congress has endeavored to consolidate power and centralize decision-making, bypassing the majority of the 435 Members of Congress and the people they represent;

Whereas the Speaker has, through inaction, caused the power of Congress to atrophy, thereby making Congress subservient to the Executive and Judicial branches, diminishing the voice of the American People;

Whereas the Speaker uses the power of the office to punish Members who vote according to their conscience instead of the will of the Speaker;

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Whereas the Speaker has intentionally provided for voice votes on consequential and controversial legislation to be taken without notice and with few Members present;

Whereas the Speaker uses the legislative calendar to create crises for the American People, in order to compel Members to vote for legislation;

Whereas the Speaker does not comply with the spirit of the rules of the House of Representatives, which provide that Members shall have three days to review legislation before voting;

Whereas the Speaker continues to direct the Rules Committee to limit meaningful amendments, to limit debate on the House floor, and to subvert a straightforward legislative process; and

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Whereas the House of Representatives, to function effectively in the service of all citizens of this country, requires the service of a Speaker who will endeavor to follow an orderly and inclusive process without imposing his or her will upon any Member thereof: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives is hereby declared to be vacant.

A day later, WND reported, Boehner downplayed the move as "no big deal."

But when the latest Congress was sworn in, and the GOP House majority picked a leader, there already were more than two dozen members who declined to support Boehner.

Meadows, in a later interview with WND/Radio America, said the representatives need to have a clear vote on major issues.

Listen to the WND/Radio America interview with Rep. Mark Meadows:

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