Boehner's resignation prompts cheers among GOP's right wing

WASHINGTON (AP) — The news of House Speaker John Boehner's resignation brought hundreds of religious conservatives to their feet to cheer — and one after another, much of the Republican Party's presidential class joined in their rejoicing.

With less than five months before Iowa's presidential caucuses, Boehner's downfall served as a victory for its conservative wing and a rallying cry for those who seek to ride its frustrations to the White House.

The Republican establishment repeatedly beat back conservative challenges in the 2014 midterm elections, helping to give their party control of both chambers of Congress.

Conservatives have been deeply frustrated ever since, particularly as President Barack Obama enjoyed victories over congressional Republicans on health care, the Iran nuclear agreement and efforts to block federal funding to Planned Parenthood.

"John Boehner's decision to resign ... is a victory for the millions of grassroots conservatives who worked tirelessly to elect conservatives to control the Congress," said Jenny Beth Martin, president of the Tea Party Patriots.

Real estate mogul Donald Trump, who has ridden a wave of frustration with politics and anyone with ties to government to front-runner status in the GOP's presidential contest, called Republican congressional leaders like Boehner "babies."