House Conservatives Back Ryan, Opening Door to a New Speaker

Two-thirds Vote Supports Ryan

Congressman Paul Ryan seems all but assured of becoming the next House speaker, now that the Wisconsin Republican has won the backing of most members of the pugnacious House Freedom Caucus.

After a closed-door vote late Wednesday, participants say two-thirds of that group of hardline conservatives backed Ryan’s bid for the House’s top job.

Their support was the chief remaining question over whether Ryan would seek the post.

So their vote essentially meant the speaker’s post is his for the taking when the House formally chooses a new leader next week.

Ryan said in a statement that the Freedom Caucus vote was “a positive step toward a unified Republican team.”

Republicans hope Ryan’s ascension will end a month of political pandemonium that has made Congress and the GOP seem anarchic.