John Boehner appears likely to be re-elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives when the 113th United States Congress is sworn in at
While some conservatives had said that 20 or more House Republicans were prepared to mount a challenge to Boehner, no one has been willing to step forward as a rallying figure - an indication that the position is in some ways one of the most difficult and thankless in politics.
Boehner's job as Speaker had been under threat after just 85 members of his Republican caucus voted for a fiscal cliff deal that 151 opposed and nearly all Democrats backed.
Most ominously, his own leadership team publicly split from him over the vote with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy opposing the bill. (READ MORE )
