Boehner: Promises No Government Shutdown Over Planned Parenthood
House Speaker John Boehner says the government won't shut down next week.
— -- House Speaker John Boehner said Sunday there will be "no" government shutdown over Planned Parenthood funding, confirming plans to pass the Senate’s short-term government funding bill with Democratic help.
"I expect my Democratic colleagues want to keep the government open as much as I do," he said on CBS' "Face the Nation."
Before he announced his resignation plans, Boehner was under pressure from House conservatives to defund Planned Parenthood in a bill to keep the government open, which would have all but guaranteed a government shutdown.
The Ohio Republican accused some conservatives of being "absolutely" unrealistic about what can be accomplished with a Democratic administration.
"You know the Bible says 'beware of false prophets,'" he said. "We've got groups here in town, members ... who whip people into a frenzy believing they can accomplish things they know -- they know -- are never going to happen."
When asked if Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, was one of those members, Boehner referred to comments he made at an August fundraiser, where he called Cruz a "jackass."
Boehner, 65, said he wants to "gets as much finished as possible" before leaving Congress on Oct. 30, but did not provide any policy specifics other than a must-pass government funding bill and forming a select committee to investigate Planned Parenthood.
"I don't want to leave my successor a dirty barn," he said.
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