House speaker backs IL congressman’s resignation

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner says he supports congressman Aaron Schock’s abrupt decision to resign this week.

Schock is a 33-year-old Illinois Republican who announced his resignation amid scrutiny of lavish spending and payments to donors for flights on private jets.

Boehner told reporters Thursday he was stunned by the announcement. But he says members of Congress must be held to the highest ethical standards.

Boehner says the House has adequate rules aimed at preventing abuses. The Ohio Republican says if you violate those rules, “in almost every case, sooner or later, it catches up with you.”