REPORT: John Boehner is asking Paul Ryan to 'step up and be speaker'
AP
The Washington Post's Robert Costa reported that Boehner reached out to Ryan amid a day that saw Boehner's designated successor, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California), unexpectedly drop out of the race.
Ryan, the 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee who is now the chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, has repeatedly shot down any interest in the position. He did so when Boehner resigned two weeks ago and again on Thursday, minutes after McCarthy collectively stunned Washington and dropped out.
"Kevin McCarthy is best person to lead the House, and so I'm disappointed in this decision. Now it is important that we, as a Conference, take time to deliberate and seek new candidates for the speakership. While I am grateful for the encouragement I've received, I will not be a candidate," Ryan said in a statement Thursday.
"I continue to believe I can best serve the country and this conference as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee."
Ryan also chose to forego a bid for a leadership position in 2014, when then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor unexpectedly lost his congressional seat in a primary challenge.
Spokespeople for Boehner and Ryan didn't immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Ryan, according to Costa, is "undecided" and "listening" to the overtures.
Costa reported that Ryan has also become McCarthy's pick for speaker. And Boehner is reportedly telling those close to him that it "has to be" Ryan. One GOP aide, when asked earlier in the day by Business Insider what might happen after McCarthy's sudden reversal, said something similar.
"Probably has to be" Ryan, the aide said.
- In second consecutive week of decline, forex kitty drops $2.28 bn to $640.33 bn
- SBI Life Q4 profit rises 4% to ₹811 crore
- IMD predicts severe heatwave conditions over East, South Peninsular India for next five days
- COVID lockdown-related school disruptions will continue to worsen students’ exam results into the 2030s: study
- India legend Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 ambassador
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market