WASHINGTON (AP) – John Boehner, prone to shedding sentimental tears, will probably need his hankie Thursday. But you might catch him grinning, too, as he relinquishes the speaker’s gavel and the burden of trying to herd defiant House Republicans.
The ceremony of selecting a new speaker of the House, the person second in line for the presidency, rarely takes on the drama created by Boehner’s surprise resignation and the chaotic search for a replacement. Republicans on Wednesday nominated his reluctant successor, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.
Here’s a primer on the handover of power Thursday morning:
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HOW IT’S DONE