It’s official: On Wednesday, the House of Representatives named its next speaker, replacing weeks of rumors with reality by handing Ohio Rep. John Boehner the gavel, “which I accept cheerfully and gratefully, knowing I am but its caretaker,” he said.

Click here for other highlights from Boehner’s speech on Wednesday. –KA

USA Today:

Boehner was formally nominated by Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the GOP conference. Hensarling hailed Boehner’s up-from-the-bootstraps life story, noting the Ohio lawmaker is one of 12 children and waited tables and mopped floors to get through college.

“He has lived the American dream and will protect it for our posterity,” Hensarling said.

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