John Boehner is the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He was elected to a twelfth term in November 2012 as representative of Ohio's Eighth Congressional District. On January 5, 2011, he was sworn in in the 112th Congress as the 53rd Speaker of the House. On January 3, 2013, he was re-elected for a second term. During his tenure, Boehner focused on a more accountable, smaller, and less costly federal government (Biography). His work to reform government began long before his election as Speaker of the House. He is recognized as part of the "Gang of Seven" of the 1990s. This term was used to describe Republicans who worked to rid Congress of corruption (Roff, Peter). He has been both praised and criticized for his work within the Tea Party. The Tea Party describes a group of ultra-conservative Republicans. Their ultimate message is one of outrage against big government, big business, the national debt and taxes (Rowen, Beth). The Tea Party began in 2009, shortly after the election of President Obama. They believe they work for and represent the true owners of the United States, “We the People” (teaparty.org). The Tea Party began to gain strength in a series of nationwide rallies on April 15, 2009, growing tired of government. Protesters used the term tea as an acronym for “Taxed Enough Already” (Britannica). Boehner's allegiance to the Tea Party often made him appear weak in the public eye. The government shutdown was an ultimate low point in terms of the image of the Tea Party and Boehner. The Tea Party, or more specifically FreedomWorks and Heritage Action, two prominent Tea Party lobbying organizations, worked to crush the Affordable Care Act, the bill that would...... middle of paper. ..... Boehner's Lonely Job." Washington Post. The Washington Post, September 30, 2013. Web. December 14, 2013. Roff, Peter. "The History and Future of John Boehner's Reformer - Peter Roff (usnews. com)." US News & World Report | News & Rankings | Best Colleges, Best Hospitals and More, October 5, 2010. Web December 15, 2013. Rowen, Beth « History of the Tea Party Movement — Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac., Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free Online Reference, Research and Homework Help — Infoplease.com, nd Web December 15, 2013. Siddiqui, Sabrina. “John Boehner: Conservative Groups Have Lost All Credibility.” , December 12, 2013. Web, December 14, 2013. Whatley, Stuart. “The Tea Party movement is a national embarrassment. » The Huffington Post, February 9, 2010. Web. December 15. 2013.