Rebellion Against Speaker Biggest in 150 Years

In winning a third term as House speaker today, John Boehner had to fend off a defection from within his own party that was the biggest such revolt in more than 150 years, reports the Washington Post. In all, 25 conservative Republicans voted against Boehner, though that wasn't enough to force the humiliation of a second vote. House rules allow members to vote for any US citizen, which is why Rand Paul and Jeff Sessions—who happen to be senators—each got a vote, reports the Hill. (On the Democratic side, Tennessee's Jim Cooper voted for Colin Powell, notes CNN.)

A dozen GOP members voted for Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida, but today's opposition was largely symbolic. It shows the "the clear limits" of Boehner's clout in the GOP conference, observes Politico, while Chris Cillizza at the Post writes that it doesn't bode well in terms of avoiding the logjams of the previous Congress. "If more than two dozen House Republicans are willing to stand up and voice their discontent with him in a vote that is almost certain to go his way, what will the prognosis be for Boehner when the legislative outcomes are less certain?" Here's the full list of those who voted against him. (More John Boehner stories.)