Departing Speaker Boehner Could Enjoy New Leeway in Clearing Legislation

The House GOP’s leadership turmoil could help outgoing Speaker John Boehner tackle some of the chamber’s thorniest legislative business.

Mr. Boehner has said he wants to clear what legislation he can through the House to ease the path for his likely successor. That had been Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.), until Mr. McCarthy unexpectedly withdrew from the race on Thursday. The conservative opposition that helped thwart Mr. McCarthy could make it more likely that Mr. Boehner remains at the helm of the House beyond Oct. 30