Paul Ryan says he’ll run for House speaker if GOP unites for him by Friday.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., told anxious colleagues Tuesday night that he would agree to run for speaker of the House, but only if the party united behind him by Friday, according to lawmakers and Ryan’s aides.
The statement could bring a possible resolution to the GOP leadership struggle that has threatened to further divide the party, but it remains unclear whether conservatives will support him.
House Republicans have been in a stalemate since Speaker John Boehner of Ohio announced he would step down and a conservative faction led by the House Freedom Caucus blocked the rise of Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California.
Ryan, 45, is considered the Republican Party’s best hope for uniting its divided House majority. But he had expressed reluctance at taking the difficult job without unanimous support.
House Republicans returned to Washington late Tuesday evening after a recess week away and almost immediately gathered behind closed doors in the Capitol basement to assess the situation.
At that meeting, Ryan said he would be “willing to serve” if the three main GOP caucuses unite around him. He also had other conditions, including that he not be required to travel as much as Boehner has so Ryan could spend time with his family
“Chairman Ryan encouraged the members to discuss and consider his requests, and he asked that they make clear whether they support them by this Friday,” according to a statement by Brendan Buck, a Ryan spokesman. “If the members agree with his requests and share his vision, and if he is a unity candidate ... then he will serve as speaker. He will be all in.”