Paul Ryan Has Just Been Elected America’s 62nd Speaker Of The House

The House of Representatives just elected Paul Ryan to replace John Boehner.

Capturing 236 votes, Republican Paul Ryan of Wisconsin was just elected the 62nd Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. At 45 years old, he is the youngest Speaker since 1869.

Saying goodbye to Speaker Boehner, Nancy Pelosi said he was the “personification of the American dream.”

Ryan won his House seat in 1998, at the age of just 28.

Ryan is the 62nd Speaker of the House, and the 54th person to hold the gavel.

Despite media reports, Ryan is no moderate. As this chart via OnTheIssues and Ballotpedia shows, he is a far-right conservative:

Ryan will have to deal with a fractured and disparate body of Republicans, including religious right conservatives, Tea Party die-hards, and a few “moderates,” not to mention a growingly progressive Democratic Party.

Ryan, beginning his speech, said, “If you ever pray, Republicans, pray for Democrats, and Democrats, pray for Republicans.”

And he added, “We are wiping the slate clean.” 

 

Image: Screenshot via NBC News