In a just released letter to his House colleagues Paul Ryan (R-WI) Chairman of the US House Ways & Means Committee (and former 2012 vice presidential candidate) said he is running for Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
Ryan’s decision comes after securing sufficient support from three major factions of the House
U.S. House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) Will Run For Speaker of the US House
Republican caucus: the Republican Study Committee, the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus and the moderate Tuesday Group. Ryan was also convinced he received an agreement from supporters on the conditions he laid before the caucus, that he receive a majority of support from the caucus and that he would have weekends free to spend with his young family.
Both the Republican Study Committee and the moderate Tuesday Group endorsed Ryan. However, the ultra-right wing House Freedom Caucus did not endorse him. The House Freedom Caucus maintains in their bylaws that an official endorsement from the group requires 80 percent support. Ryan received 27 of a total 39 votes from the group.
Ryan also had one other significant demand from the Republican caucus, that the House change the rules governing “the motion to vacate the chair.” This demand drew most of the criticism from caucus members, especially the House Freedom Caucus who’s members used it against current Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH).
U.S. Rep Kevin Brady (R-TX) next in line to Chair US House Ways and Means Committee
As we learned from the most recent incident with a Speaker-elect, this does not mean the race for Speaker is over. Members of the House will be home in their respective districts this weekend and a number of things could happen between now and the nomination by the caucus. A formal nomination election is set for October 28. The full House is scheduled to elect the Speaker on October 29.
U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX) is the likely heir apparent to replace Ryan as Chairman of the US House Ways & Means Committee. Brady is next in line in seniority on the Committee.
At Cansler Consulting we understand that in Washington, D.C. change is the only constant. Advocacy in Washington is also changing and we are at the forefront using new technologies and data to help us focus on strategies that improve our client's return on investment. Our core lobbying strategies are driven by the value at stake from federal legislative & regulatory actions. Leading studies indicate that today's business value impacted by government and regulatory action, or inaction can reach as high as 30 percent of earnings for most companies.
With as much as one-third of earnings at stake, it is imperative that companies, industries and organizations engage in government relations.
If you need effective representation from a bipartisan, entrepreneurial government relations firm contact Cansler Consulting. We are certified by the National Institute of Lobbying and Ethics and have decades of experience assisting clients in issue areas including Agriculture, Budget & Appropriations, Food Safety, Transportation & Infrastructure, International Trade and Energy. Through our relationships established in Washington, D.C. and throughout the U.S. for over two decades we can help you the legislative and regulatory processes on Capitol Hill and inside federal agencies. You can contact us at
- Is Your Government Relations Team #SmartWorking? - April 14, 2020
- President Trump Challenges to Use Better Infrastructure Techniques - April 6, 2020
- COVID-19: U.S. Stimulus Package #3 - April 1, 2020
