Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan Is the New Speaker of the House

Now that the House officially taps him as speaker, Ryan is expected to praise Boehner and urge members from both sides to “put past behind them and begin the process of healing”, according to a Ryan aide.

Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi received 184 votes, while Daniel Webster, the rebellious conservative who launched a long-shot bid for speaker last month, received nine votes.

Conservatives are howling about the deal, which passed the House on Wednesday, but have been mostly unwilling to blame Ryan.

Ryan was the 2012 Republican nominee for the vice presidency and the outgoing chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

“While the task at hand may be hard, my Freedom Caucus colleagues and I have proven that we can win and I’m more emboldened than ever to fight the status quo in Congress”, his statement said.

Boehner, in a farewell address, said he’s leaving the speakership and Congress “with no regrets or burdens”. “I can work with Paul Ryan”.

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, also said he appreciated Ryan’s “call to regular order where the opinions of all members of the House are valued and heard”. Ryan voted in favor of such legislation once – in 2007, when the version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act under consideration covered only sexual orientation, not gender identity.

New House speaker Paul Ryan made it clear Thursday that he wants a fresh start. Paul Ryan is uniquely qualified to do that, so he has my support, and I hope he will be able to lay out a path to success despite a tough political environment. “We’re not settling scores, we’re wiping the slate clean”.

The Ohio-based congressman came under pressure from rebellious conservatives in the party, who complained that progress over plans for smaller government and changes to federal social policies had been too slow.

“Although we had our differences, and often, I always respected his dedication to this House and his commitment to his values”, she said.

“He did not seek this office; the office sought him”, said House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who formally nominated Ryan on the House floor Thursday. “We are not going to have a House that looked like it looked the last few years”.