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Ryan will not seek top GOP slot on Ways and Means |
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By Jackie Kucinich
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Posted: 12/13/07 05:05 PM [ET] |
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will not make a bid for the top Republican slot on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.
Ryan, the ranking member of the Budget Committee, told The Hill on Thursday that he is content with his position on the budget panel. Ryan ranks ninth in seniority among Ways and Means Republicans who are running for reelection.
Ryan has been mentioned as a possible contender for the top Republican spot on Ways and Means since ranking member Jim McCrery (R-La.) announced last week he is not seeking reelection.
But after declining to say whether he would run for the spot over the last several days, Ryan is now officially out of what is a two-man race between Reps. Wally Herger (R-Calif.) and Dave Camp (R-Mich.).
"I'm happy where I am on the Budget Committee," Ryan said. "I'm pleased with that opportunity."
The 37-year-old lawmaker, who is considered a rising star in the Republican Party, added, "The Ways and Means Committee is in good hands."
Earlier this year, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) — a friend of Ryan’s — said, “I think [Ryan will] be the chairman of Ways and Means in the next decade.”
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