Boehner: McAllister Must Be Held to ‘Highest Ethical Standards’
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Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call(WASHINGTON) — Addressing the scandal for the first time, House Speaker John Boehner did not publicly call on embattled Louisiana Republican Rep. Vance McAllister to resign — but said he has had a private conversation with the kissing congressman and put the decision to continue serving back on the freshman lawmaker.
“I expect all members to be held to the highest ethical standards and this is no different,” Boehner, R-Ohio, answered when asked whether he has confidence is McAllister’s ability to serve his constituents in Louisiana. “I’ve talked to Rep. McAllister. I don’t share with you the kind of conversations I have, but I have had a conversation with him and you know he got decisions that he has to make.”
McAllister, who initially gained national attention after he was endorsed by the stars of Duck Dynasty and won a special election last fall, is now fighting to keep his seat after he attracted headlines when a video surfaced this week showing him making out with a woman staffer, who has since resigned.
A senior aide to Majority Leader Eric Cantor confirmed that Cantor also briefly spoke with McAllister on Tuesday evening, and the two agreed to speak again when McAllister returns to Washington.
After votes wrap up Thursday, the House of Representatives will go on spring break for a two-week recess for the Easter holiday, returning to session on April 28.
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