Paul Ryan Gains Support of Key Conservative Caucus for Speaker Run

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Oct 22, 2015

Paul Ryan Gains Support of Key Conservative Caucus for Speaker Run

A key conservative group has voiced its support for Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan to take the position of Speaker of the House. Fox News reports that about two-thirds of the House Freedom Caucus announced they were backing him as House speaker, though the Ways and Means Committee chairman has not officially entered the race. 

The House Freedom Caucus said that Ryan "has promised to be an ideas-focused Speaker who will advance limited government principles and devolve power to the membership."

Ryan responded that the group’s approval "is a positive step toward a unified Republican team.”

According to Fox News, an 80 percent majority of the House Freedom Caucus needed to voice their approval to be considered an official endorsement of the group. 

Ryan has made several demands that would need to be met for him to enter the race. The congressman said he wanted support from all of the major caucuses, he wanted the House rules changed to remove the “motion to vacate the chair,” and he wanted less time on the road to be able to spend time with his family. 

Ryan said, "What I told the members is if you can agree to the requests, and if I can be a truly unifying figure, I'll serve. And if I'm not a unifying force, that will be fine as well. I'm happy to stay where I am."

Publication date: October 22, 2015



Paul Ryan Gains Support of Key Conservative Caucus for Speaker Run