"The speaker makes decisions based on sound policy and what is ultimately best for New Yorkers," Mr. Chai said.
Many of the members in attendance threatened to keep a watchful eye on the coming weeks, saying the speaker's decisions on how to handle the Iran deal, the spending fight and Planned Parenthood would be key in whether conservatives would mount another coup to oust him.
He then reiterated that the decision to block the relief bill "was the speaker's decision, his alone".
Mr. Obama was visibly irked by the speaker's decision.
It was the Speaker's decision – his alone".
"We applaud the speaker's decision," said P. J. Crowley, a spokesman for the National Security Council.
"We are overjoyed by the speaker's decision," said Al Felzenberg, the commission's spokesman.
Mr. Sherman said the speaker's decision to pledge a vote by the full House was not about personal relationships but about principle.
"We own it now," said the Democrat, who did not want to be named because he was raising concerns about the speaker's decision.
"I have a question I'd like to ask John Boehner, Charlie Morgann said, taking note of the House speaker's decision to spend taxpayer money for lawyers to defend the act.
Mr. Michalski left about two years ago to become a freelance consultant and speaker, a decision made in part, he explained, by the emotional wall he said she kept between them.
