Boehner, McConnell back Romney

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WASHINGTON, April 17 (UPI) -- The top two Republicans in Congress, House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, endorsed Mitt Romney in his bid for U.S. president.

"It's clear now that Mitt Romney is going to be our nominee," Boehner, R-Ohio, said in Washington Tuesday. "I think Mitt Romney has a set of economic policies that can put Americans back to work and contrast sharply with the failed economic policies of President Obama. And I will be proud to support Mitt Romney and do everything I can to help him win."

Boehner, who is chairman of the GOP National Convention, had previously shied away from endorsing any of the candidates in the race, but Romney now appears to have an insurmountable lead in the delegate count after former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania dropped out, The Hill reported. Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul have vowed to stay in the race despite trailing Romney by large margins.

McConnell, R-Ky., followed Boehner's lead and announced he, too, backs Romney.

"I support Mitt Romney for president of the United States," McConnell said.

"We're all looking forward to the fall campaign, which is already under way."