Boehner 'Stunned' by Rep. Aaron Schock's Resignation - East Idaho News
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Boehner ‘Stunned’ by Rep. Aaron Schock’s Resignation

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GETTY 31915 JBoehner?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1426790109333Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — In the aftermath of Rep. Aaron Schock’s abrupt and unceremonious downfall, House Speaker John Boehner said he believes there are “ample controls” in place to keep members of Congress in check ethically, adding a warning that any member breaking the law will have it catch up with them “sooner or later.”

“I do think there are ample controls in place to deal with the allegations that are involved here, but understand something: If somebody’s going to violate the rules, you know, they’re going to violate the rules,” Boehner, R-Ohio, said. “And in almost every case, sooner or later, it catches up with you.”

When Schock, R-Ill., decided to resign, his decision unraveled so quickly he did not even notify leadership that his resignation announcement was coming. Boehner says he was “a bit stunned” to learn of Schock’s intent to resign at the end of the month.

“I have to tell you I was a bit stunned…by the announcement,” Boehner said. “But I think I expect and the American people expect members of Congress to be held to the highest ethical standards. And I think Mr. Schock made a decision. Frankly, I support the decision he made.”

Schock briefly surfaced at the Capitol Wednesday, where he met with House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the fourth-ranked Republican. While Schock appears to be making the rounds to make amends with GOP leaders, Boehner said he has not met with Schock.

House rules do not require members of Congress to undergo ethics training, although congressional staff is compelled to take an ethics orientation course.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who previously served on the Ethics Committee for seven years, said she believes it would be “important” for lawmakers, their families and congressional staff to have ethics training.

“I think we should just do the ethics training period so everybody has a comfort level as to what is personal, what is official, what is political. That’s really where lines are crossed,” Pelosi, D-Calif., said.

Schock is the second Republican of the fledgling 114th Congress to resign from office, joining disgraced former Rep. Michael Grimm.


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