Boehner endorses punishment for GOP dissenter

Speaker John Boehner told a closed meeting of House Republicans that he “supports” the decision to strip North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows of a subcommittee chairmanship for voting against the party.

Boehner (R-Ohio) endorsed House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz’s (R-Utah) removal of Meadows as chairman of a government operations panel. Meadows voted against a procedural motion on the House floor.


Boehner wasn’t asked about the decision, but rather volunteered his opinion, showing he’s comfortable with retribution for GOP dissenters.

Meadows’ loss of his subcommittee gavel has become a rallying cause on the right. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said it was among the reasons he voted against fast-track trade authority Tuesday.

After the meeting, Boehner told reporters, “we have the majority, and when it comes to procedural votes in the House, the majority has to stick together and vote for or against…those procedural motions.”

“I think the chairman made the right decision,” he said.