House Speaker Boehner calls Grimm resignation 'honorable'

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner said today that N.Y. Rep. Michael Grimm made the right decision by resigning from Congress after pleading guilty to tax evasion charges.

Boehner, R-Ohio, said that Grimm's decision was "honorable," adding that he knows Grimm made his decision "with the best interests of his constituents and the institution [of the House] in mind." Boehner said he appreciated Grimm's service to the House.

Grimm, a New York Republican, had vowed to stay in Congress as long as he could, even after his guilty plea last week. But he said Monday night he plans to resign effective Monday.

Grimm also said he did not believe he could be fully effective in the new Congress and needed to start the next chapter of his life.

"The events which led to this day did not break my spirit, nor the will of the voters," Grimm said. "However, I do not believe that I can continue to be 100 percent effective in the next Congress."

Grimm, 44, of Staten Island, pleaded guilty last week to aiding in the filing of a false tax return related to a Manhattan restaurant he ran before being elected to Congress.