UNDATED (WSAU-Wheeler News) Janesville House Republican Paul Ryan says he would take the speaker’s post he’s reluctant to accept, but only with conditions. After speaking to his G-O-P colleagues in a closed session, Ryan told reporters last night he would serve if the party unifies behind him now, and avoids a divisive speaker’s election.
Ryan also says Republicans must act to avoid “constant leadership challenges.”
And in his words, “I cannot and will not give up my family time.” That refers to the speaker’s normal role of hitting the road to help raise money for Republican House candidates.
G-O-P leaders have leaned on the 45-year-old Ryan, after Speaker John Boehner said he would leave Congress next week. Ryan says he has achieved his main goal in the House by chairing the Ways-and-Means committee.
The conservative Freedom Caucus wants more of a say in the House leadership, but it has not made specific demands to Ryan.
The 2012 G-O-P vice-presidential nominee is ending his 17th year in the House.