“Paul Ryan represents the type of new and bold leadership that we need in Washington today” he said.
Advertisement
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy killed his own plans to become Speaker when it became clear a few conservatives would make it impossible for him to get the necessary majority.
Garrett voted for Webster over Boehner (R-Ohio) in January.
There still needs to be a formal vote on the House floor on Thursday.
That job now falls to Ryan, R-Wis., a blue-eyed, buffed, politically-savvy 45-year-old policy wonk from Janseville, Wis., who was Republican Mitt Romney’s vice presidential running mate in 2012.
As for Ryan himself, he will likely lean on a small cadre of advisers and colleagues, including House Budget Committee chair Tom Price (R-GA) and Financial Services Committee chair Jeb Hensarling (R-X). Ryan voted in favor of such legislation once – in 2007, when the version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act under consideration covered only sexual orientation, not gender identity.
In an address that lasted just under 10 minutes, Boehner said he felt satisfied with his almost five years as the House speaker.
Ryan, who reluctantly ran for speaker after being told by Republicans he was the only one able to unify the fractured conference, said, “I never thought I’d be the speaker”. But Ryan’s vote came only after he tried to kill the bill by sending it back to committee. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Ryan said: “We are turning the page”.
Ryan, who at 45 is the youngest speaker since the 19th century, takes charge of a fractured GOP caucus, which drove his predecessor John Boehner to retire early.
Ryan replaces Boehner, who announced in September that he would be stepping down after almost six years in the job.
In the days leading up to his election as Speaker of the House, it appeared Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan would not only face Washington’s partisan politics in the new role, but also a schism within his own party. Let people participate. And they might change their tune.
Advertisement
Jenni Dye, research director for One Wisconsin Now, said in a statement Ryan is willing to negotiate for time with his family but not cast a vote to help other Americans have more time with their their loved ones.
