CBS CBS Corp

Outgoing Speaker of the House John Boehner (R., Ohio) said he expects to be successful in averting a government shutdown this week, even if it means going against some members of his own caucus and relying on Democratic lawmakers to pass the legislation.

Mr. Boehner announced on Friday that he would be resigning from Congress at the end of October.

Asked on CBS's "Face The Nation" whether the government would shut down, he said, simply "no."

"The Senate is expected to pass a continuing resolution next week," he said, referring to the legislation that would keep the government functioning from Oct. 1 through Dec. 11. "The House will take up the Senate bill."

Asked if the measure will require Democratic votes to pass, Mr. Boehner said, "I'm sure it will. But I expect my Democrat colleagues want to keep the government open as much as I do."

Some Republicans have sought to tie the vote to legislation that would cut off funding for Planned Parenthood, a women's health provider that performs abortions and other services. Mr. Boehner has been pushing to keep the government open, having made clear that he doesn't want a repeat of the situation in 2013, when much of the government was closed for more than two weeks.

Mr. Boehner suggested setting up a special committee to investigate Planned Parenthood instead.

Even one of Mr. Boehner's toughest critics within his own party, Mick Mulvaney (R., S.C.) was resigned to the likelihood of the government remaining open. In July, Mr. Mulvaney had sent a letter to House leadership urging the use of "every available tool" to end funding for Planned Parenthood and said he would "not support any funding measure that provides taxpayer dollars for this organization."

In previous budget battles, Mr. Boehner would have to worry about not angering members of his own party who could seek to have him ousted as speaker.

"My guess is we will cut a deal with Democrats, or at least some Republicans will, in order to keep the government open next week," Mr. Mulvaney said in an interview on Fox News Sunday.

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 27, 2015 22:55 ET (02:55 GMT)

CBS (NYSE:CBS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024

CBS (NYSE:CBS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024