Boehner’s unemployed brother sticks up for House leader’s opposition to extending benefits

Jobless bro OK with Boehner’s benefits ‘no’ vote

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A brother of U.S. House Republican leader John Boehner (BAY’-nur) would have seen his unemployment benefits dry up if the congressman had succeeded in his push to defeat an extension-of-benefits bill passed this week.

Boehner and most fellow Republicans opposed the measure Thursday, but 61-year-old Bob Boehner said Friday he isn’t bitter.

Bob says he doesn’t want his brother voting for government programs that aren’t paid for, even if that hurts him. He lost his job with the southwest Ohio city of Reading in February.

Sister Lynda Meineke says Bob is one of two brothers and two brothers-in-law back home who are out of work. The congressman told reporters before the vote that three brothers had lost jobs during the recession and he wasn’t sure which if any had found work.

(This version CORRECTS that Boehner’s remarks came before the vote, not after.)