House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday that he supports Rep. Aaron Schock’s decision to resign from Congress, suggesting that those who violate ethics regulations on the Hill will eventually get caught.
“I think Mr. Schock made a decision and frankly, I support the decision he made,” Boehner told reporters of the Illinois Republican, who abruptly resigned Tuesday amid allegations that he inappropriately used funds for luxury flights, personal automobile use, office decorations and junkets for staff.
“I do think there are ample controls in place to deal with the allegations that are involved here,” he added. “But understand something: If someone is going to violate the rules, they are going to violate the rules. And in almost every case, sooner or later, it catches up with you.”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi -- who served on the House Ethics Committee for seven years -- called the Schock allegations “outrageous” and said that she believes that all members of Congress and their families should have ethics training.
“I think we should just do the ethics training, period, so everybody has a comfort level as to what is personal, what is official, what is political,” she said. “That is really where lines are crossed.”
Boehner told reporters he has not personally spoken to Schock, who gave leadership no warning he was resigning his seat effective March 31st.
- Alex Moe and Carrie Dann
