Blunt steps aside

WASHINGTON (AP) - Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt, the No. 2 Republican in the House, is stepping aside after Tuesday's disappointing election results.

Blunt's move avoids a difficult intraparty battle with protege Eric Cantor, a Virginia Republican who's already campaigning for the job of Republican whip.

Blunt says it's time for a new generation of Republicans to assume leadership roles. Cantor is 45. Blunt has served in a leadership role for a decade.

Meanwhile, conservative Indiana Rep. Mike Pence has been recruited by GOP Leader John Boehner of Ohio to serve as chairman of the Republican conference, the No. 3 leadership post vacated by Florida Rep. Adam Putnam on election night.