Boehner re-elected House speaker

Rep. John Boehner of Ohio was re-elected House speaker yesterday despite an attempt by a small group of his fellow Republicans to deny him a third term.

NPR reports Boehner's successfull re-election was helped by a larger GOP majority than the previous Congress, as well as the absence of a number of Democrats who were attending the funeral of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo.

Boehner tallied 216 votes, beating leading competitor Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who received 164.

Read more from NPR.