“Some folks feel like they don’t have a voice at the table”, said Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas), chairman of the Republican Study Committee, which before the Freedom Caucus was created was the organization of conservative lawmakers.
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The biggest influence on his decision is expected to come from his wife, Janna, who worked as a lawyer and lobbyist in Washington before moving to her husband’s hometown to raise their children, who are in school there.
A noted budget expert, Ryan was formerly head of the House Budget Committee and now chairs the House Ways and Means Committee.
Any presidential aspirations Ryan might have could be undercut by holding the chamber’s top job and managing its unruly caucus.
Ryan didn’t speak during the GOP meeting, lawmakers said. But the 45-year-old Wisconsin lawmaker did not reject the idea outright when he entered Friday’s conference. Rep. Fred Upton said: “He needs to do this for the team, that’s what we are all telling him”.
The only Republican who does not want Paul Ryan to become the next House speaker, it seems, is Paul Ryan.
“He’d be an wonderful speaker”, McCarthy declared to a bank of TV cameras after Republicans met behind closed doors to discuss their predicament. He said Ryan has support from both moderates and conservatives.
And less than an hour after McCarthy’s exit from the race, Ryan released a statement again denying his interest in the position. Ryan said he’s disappointed McCarthy didn’t take the speakership, and reiterated that he’s not a candidate.
Ryan has made it clear he does not want the job, but Republicans say he may be the only one who can unite a deeply fractured party.
The GOP-run Congress is hurtling toward showdowns with President Barack Obama over spending and borrowing. If not resolved, those faceoffs could result in a partial government shutdown or an unprecedented federal default.
La Crosse Congressman Ron Kind is among the Democrats who wonder if the GOP majority can govern effectively. “The majority leader is still here every day”, Mr. Kelly said Friday.
Welch says a relatively small group of conservative House Republicans, perhaps a total of no more than 40 members, is responsible for the leadership struggle in Washington. Boehner, an Ohio Republican, delivered his own shocker on September 25 when he said he would retire from Congress October. 30. Issa said he would consider jumping in.
“My candidacy, albeit very much an underdog, is about a fresh start for our conference and taking a new direction on how we share our message and take our message to the American people”, Chaffetz told reporters Thursday ahead of the secret ballot vote.
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“Absolutely stunned, did not see that coming”, said Rep. Jason Chaffetz, (R) Utah.
