Boehner: 'Still time' for Caroline Kennedy

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker John Boehner Thursday joked there's "still time" for Caroline Kennedy to run for Congress and keep Camelot alive.

"Sadly, this is the first Congress to convene without a Kennedy in its ranks since Harry Truman was president," Boehner said during remarks honoring the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's inauguration as president of the United States, USA Today reported.

"Caroline ... there's still time," Boehner said.

Caroline Kennedy was at the U.S. Capitol Thursday to attend an event honoring her father's anniversary. She hesitantly threw her hat in the ring to be appointed to the U.S. Senate after President Barack Obama tapped then-Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York for secretary of state but soon withdrew herself from consideration for "personal reasons."

Two of Caroline Kennedy's uncles served in the Senate, and two cousins served in the House. Rep. Patrick Kennedy retired this month after 16 years representing Rhode Island, leaving Congress devoid of Kennedys.