House Speaker John Boehner Announces Decision to Step Down From Government Position in October

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner made a surprise announcement Friday, saying he was stepping down from his high government position at the end of next month.

Boehner said in a closed meeting on Friday that he will be resigning from his position and giving up his House seat at the end of October.

Several media outlet have cited Boehner's embattled experience with conservatives in his camp. The Speaker's decision to step down comes shortly before some conservative lawmakers were threatening to refuse to vote for a bill that would prevent the federal defunding of the Planned Parenthood abortion provider.

According to Politico, a visibly emotional Boehner told reporters upon exiting his Friday morning meeting  that "this is a wonderful day."

A Boehner aide added to the media outlet that "the speaker believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution."

"He is proud of what this majority has accomplished, and his speakership, but for the good of the Republican Conference and the institution, he will resign the speakership and his seat in Congress, effective Oct. 30," the aide added.

Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, who is a popular pick as Boehner's replacement, told the New York Times that Boehner's decision to step down was a "selfless" move.

"John Boehner has been a great leader of the Republican Party and the House of Representatives," Ryan said. "This was an act of pure selflessness. John's decades of service have helped move our country forward, and I deeply value his friendship. We will miss John, and I am confident our conference will elect leaders who are capable of meeting the challenges our nation faces. I wish John and his family well as he begins the next phase of his life."