Boehner praises Pelosi, holds back tears, at portrait unveiling

Former U.S. Rep. and Speaker of the House John Boehner praised outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday saying his daughters admire her.

Boehner, a Republican from West Chester, spoke at the portrait unveiling for Pelosi, a Democrat. The majority in the House flipped to Republicans this November, Pelosi, of California, announced last month she would step down as leader of her party in the House ending a two-decade stint as the top House Democrat.

"You and I have disagreed politically on many things over the years, but we were never disagreeable to each other," Boehner said. "You can disagree without being disagreeable."

Boehner said no other modern speaker has wielded the gavel with such authority.

"My girls told me, 'Tell the Speaker how much we admire her,' " Boehner said becoming emotional and holding back tears. "As if you couldn't tell, my girls are Democrats."

He told the story of the day the Republicans took over the House in 2015 and Pelosi turned over the gavel and the position of speaker to Boehner. During the ceremony, he leaned in and gave Pelosi and hug and kiss. He joked that his colleagues made sure he heard about it for years.

"You've been a fierce warrior for your party, but when the stakes were highest, you were willing to put the interest of the nation first and take the heat for it," Boehner said. "Now that's leadership."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Boehner praises Nancy Pelosi, holds back tears, at portrait unveiling