Paul Ryan Announces Potential Speaker Run


capitalRepresentative Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced that he will be running for Speaker, if he can serve as a unity candidate.

Representative Ryan, a rising star in the Republican Party who serves as Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, laid out several conditions for a Speakership run, including that he must have the support of the House Freedom Caucus, the Tuesday Group, and the Republican Study Committee. The House Freedom Caucus could prove tricky for Ryan, who spent Tuesday meeting with the group, as one of their own members, Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL) is also running for Speaker. Rep. Ryan also laid out a list of reforms for the House, including ending the motion to vacate the chair. The motion to vacate the chair is a procedural move that brings the Speakership up for a vote. Throughout his Speakership, the threat of the motion has been used against Speaker Boehner in an attempt to effectively coerce him in to making certain political decisions. Rep. Raúl Labrador, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, said that Ryan’s motion proposal is “a non-starter.”

Ryan had previously denied interest in run for the Speakership, saying he enjoyed his current situation. However, Ryan slowly came to change his mind, seeking to unify the party. Ryan announced the decision in a Republican conference meeting and then he spoke to the press. “I came to the conclusion that this is a very dire moment — not just for Congress, not just for the Republican Party, but for our country. And I think our country is in desperate need of leadership,” he told reporters.


About Tyler

Tyler is the chief media reporter for TKNN, with the news organization since its founding in November of 2010. He has previously served as chief political reporter and chief political anchor for TKNN.

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