Boehner to GOP: 'Get Your Ass in Line'

Speaker working to round up support for his plan
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 27, 2011 4:11 PM CDT
John Boehner to House Republicans: 'Get Your Ass in Line' and Support My Bill
House Speaker John Boehner emerges from a closed-door caucus with House Republicans.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The CBO report that forced John Boehner to delay the vote on his debt ceiling plan may end up working in his favor, reports the Hill. It's still unclear whether he has the magical 217 needed before tomorrow's expected vote, but he's definitely closer. The delay has given Boehner and Eric Cantor more time to twist arms, and the speaker reportedly told GOP lawmakers today to "get your ass in line" and support his plan.

Boehner made the case that if it passed the House, it will clear the Senate, too, even though Harry Reid says otherwise. “This is the bill,” Boehner told the closed-door meeting, according to Politico. "I can’t do this job unless you’re behind me.” In another bit of drama, Rep. Jim Jordan apologized because a staffer on his Republican Study Committee sent out emails to conservative groups asking them to pressure GOP lawmakers to oppose Boehner's bill. House Republicans at the meeting chanted, "Fire him, fire him," referring to the RSC staffer responsible. (More John Boehner stories.)

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