House Speaker John Boehner says he isn't worried about a conservative revolt
that could oust him from his leadership post – asserting there'll be "very few" votes against him when he seeks a third term in January.
And he also dismissed suggestions his leadership team would strip committee assignments from GOP lawmakers who vote against him, telling
USA Today Tuesday: "I just don't think it's necessary."
Boehner's optimism may be whistling in the wind,
The Hill reports.
The news site last week reported frustration with Boehner's leadership style was triggering talk among some House Republicans about ways to replace him, including Arizona GOP Rep. Paul Gosar, who declared Boehner's "time's up."
For his part, Boehner predicted to USA Today "very few" Republicans would vote against him when the 114th Congress convenes in January to elect its speaker. The newspaper noted Boehner has been raising money and campaigning for House Republicans ahead of the November elections.
Republicans
are expected to add to their majority in the House, experts say, and the GOP is
poised to win a majority in the Senate, giving Boehner a partner — most likely Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell — at the helm of the chamber.
"Mitch and I could not be closer," Boehner told USA Today. "We understand each other very well."
Boehner also praised Jeb Bush and said "he’s got a real shot" at winning the 2016 presidential race because of his gubernatorial record in Florida.
"He has a record of serious, big reforms," Boehner told USA Today.