Rumor: Paul Ryan to Step Down as Speaker of the House

paul ryan speaker step down
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 12: U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill December 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. Speaker Ryan spoke about progress in the tax reform legislation. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)

It’s a blowin’ in the wind.

All across Capitol Hill, staffers and lawmakers alike are whispering: When will Speaker of the House Paul Ryan step down?

Nothing’s confirmed yet. But talk of Ryan giving up the speakership is becoming more vocal. Now, some insider Republicans are starting to openly speculate about it.

And if you know anything about the gossipy nature of Capitol Hill, you know that when there are whispers, there is usually some truth behind the hushed voices.

Matt Fuller of the Huffington Post has the scoop:

Fuller writes the following:

“There’s a whole lot of rumors and speculation that the speaker may step aside,” one GOP member told HuffPost this week, a sentiment that was expressed by a number of Republicans who, perhaps tellingly, wouldn’t go on the record to speak about Ryan’s future.

Should Ryan succeed in getting tax reform through the House, and the bill makes it onto President Trump’s desk for his signature, that will be enough for him to call it day. Fuller writes, “When the House Freedom Caucus gathered Monday night, members spent part of their meeting discussing a theory circulating on Capitol Hill and among the downtown Christmas parties that Ryan may believe he’s harpooned his personal white whale of tax reform and decide he’s finished.”

It’s well-known that Ryan doesn’t much enjoy the speakership. He was practically forced into the position in 2015 when John Boehner, without warning, announced his retirement.

Since then, Ryan has had to corral his caucus of Republicans, which include many raucous members who don’t always toe the party line.

Nobody could blame Ryan for giving up the job after years of trying to cobble together votes for big initiatives. The only question is: Who will be the next Speaker of the House?

What do you think? Is Ryan about to call it quits? Would you support replacing Paul Ryan with a real conservative? Tell us your thoughts below!

Jim E. is a true political insider, with experience working both in Washington and outside in real America. Jim... More about Jim E

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