Here & Now

Paul Ryan To Leave House After 2018

Frederica Freyberg:

After sharing the news first with his staff, then in a gathering of House leaders, Wisconsin Congressman and House Speaker Paul Ryan took to the podium in Washington Wednesday and made it official. His current term is his last. He said his decision was based on family first.

Paul Ryan:

All three of our kids are teenagers. One thing I've learned about teenagers is their idea of an ideal weekend is not necessarily to spend all of their time with their parents. What I realize is, if I am here for one more term, my kids will only have ever known me as a weekend dad. I just can’t let that happen. Some of you know my story. My dad died when I was 16, the age my daughter is. And I just don’t want to be one of those people looking back at my life thinking I'd spend more time with my kids when I know if I spend another term, they will only know me as a weekend father. Probably the two biggest achievements for me are first: the major reform of our tax code for the first time in 36 years. Which has already been a huge success for this country. That’s something I've been working on my entire adult life. Second, something I got much, much more invested on since becoming speaker is to rebuild our nation’s military. And after tax reform, addressing our military readiness crisis, that was a top priority we got done last month as well.

Frederica Freyberg:

Congressman Ryan’s announcement leaves many questions like who will run as a Republican from Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District? What will Ryan's decision mean for other Republicans in the midterms? What does Ryan’s move mean for Democrats? Those topics just ahead, but first a look back at one of Wisconsin's most famous politicians.

This was Wisconsin's introduction to Paul Ryan, when he first dipped his toe into politics.

Patty Loew:

Mr. Ryan currently works in marketing at his family’s construction company. This is his first run for public office and we welcome you to “WeekEnd.”

Paul Ryan:

Thank you very much. Nice to be here.

Frederica Freyberg:

Voters went on to elect the Janesville 20-something in 1998, the same year Newt Gingrich stepped down as House Speaker.

Paul Ryan:

Well it looks like we’re going to have some new, fresh leadership.

Frederica Freyberg:

Fourteen years after that…

[cheers and applause]

…Ryan was stumping for the second highest office in the land.

Mitt Romney:

He represents the best of America. A man who will always make us very proud. My friend and America's next vice president, Paul Ryan.

[cheers and applause]

Frederica Freyberg:

Paul Ryan's run for vice president catapulted him to new political heights nationally.

Paul Ryan:

I love Wisconsin.

Frederica Freyberg:

And in Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District. Even as he launched his campaign for higher office, the Badger State held a special place.

Paul Ryan:

It is good to be home.

[cheers and applause]

Frederica Freyberg:

And now being home with his wife Janna and their three children is what he says he wants instead of more elections and more time away, no matter his political success.

Paul Ryan:

It really is a story of cheesehead domination.

[cheers and applause]

Frederica Freyberg:

Following the Republican loss of the 2012 election, Ryan returned to Congress and his chairmanship of the House Budget Committee. He was briefly chair of Ways and Means before being elected House Speaker in 2015.