House Speaker John Boehner today expressed his support for Mitt Romney in his campaign for president, breaking from months of refusing to reveal whom he would endorse in the Republican primary.

"It's clear now Mitt Romney is going to be our nominee," Boehner, R-Ohio, told reporters this morning. "I think Mitt Romney has a set of economic policies that can put Americans back to work and, frankly, contrast sharply with the failed economic policies of President Obama. And I will be proud to support Mitt Romney and do everything I can to help him win."

Boehner, who served in Congress with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum and now serves with Reps. Ron Paul of Texas, Thad McCotter of Michigan and Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, had declined to pick a favorite throughout the Republican primary process, explaining that he wanted voters to select the party's eventual nominee.

Boehner will also be the party's chairman at the Republican National Convention in August in Tampa, Fla., prompting the speaker to remain impartial as the primary process dragged on.

"I've not taken a position on this presidential campaign because, as chairman of the convention," he said, "I wanted to make sure all candidates had a fair process and a fair opportunity."

Most of the House Republican leaders, including Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia, Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of California and vice conference chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, have endorsed Romney for president.

Boehner endorsed George Bush for president in 2000 and again in 2004. He remained neutral throughout the GOP primary in 2008, but eventually endorsed Sen. John McCain in his bid against then-Sen. Barack Obama for the White House.