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Eric Cantor steps down as House majority leader

Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., is surrounded by his staff as he walks to the House chamber for votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 30, 2014. As a result of his stunning primary defeat in the Virginia primary in June, Cantor will relinquish his leadership post tomorrow as Congress leaves for a five week recess. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., is surrounded by his staff as he walks to the House chamber for votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 30, 2014. As a result of his stunning primary defeat in the Virginia primary in June, Cantor will relinquish his leadership post tomorrow as Congress leaves for a five week recess. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By Associated Press July 31, 2014 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Rep. Eric Cantor has used his farewell as House majority leader to lament what he calls a diminished U.S. role in a world that he says is rife with instability and terror.

The Virginia Republican spoke on the House floor Friday. It was his final day as No. 2 House GOP leader.

Cantor was unexpectedly defeated by an underfunded, tea party backed opponent in his Republican primary in June. He immediately announced he would step down as majority leader at the end of July.

On Friday, Cantor said he’s worried about the future if the U.S. doesn’t steel its resolve and stand with its allies.

Cantor also says improving educational opportunity for low-income children is this era’s civil rights issue.

Cantor has said he will serve out his House term.