Addressing reporters Thursday, Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-N.C., recounted Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s shocking decision to drop out of the race for speaker, noting that Speaker John A. Boehner “was very surprised” by the announcement. “Kevin McCarthy took the floor and addressed our conference and said that he would no longer seek the position of being the Speaker of the House,” Pittenger said. “… We were all in shock. The room was in total silence. … John Boehner was very surprised.” Read more.