Today, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has announced his intent to retire from Congress at the end of October. This move will relinquish both the House seat and the Speakership. Originally, Boehner intended to serve through the end of the last Congress, but with the loss of Republican Whip Eric Canter in 2014, made Boehner change his plans. Boehner’s leadership has endured a tumultuous time in Congress including growing divisiveness both within Congress as well as strident factions within the Republican party. The retirement could set off a distinct shift in Republican party leadership and Congress.