Oct 29, 2015:
Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan was elected as the new speaker of the United States House of Representatives, receiving 236 votes (218 votes are required for a majority).
Here are a few quotes from his speech, delivered to his constituents on the House floor:
But let's be frank: The House is broken. We are not solving problems. We are adding to them. And I am not interested in laying blame. We are not settling scores. We are wiping the slate clean. Neither the members nor the people are satisfied with how things are going. We need to make some changes, starting with how the House does business.
In other words, we need to return to regular order. Now, I know that sounds like process. But it's actually a matter of principle. We are the body closest to the people. Every two years, we face the voters—and sometimes face the music. But we do not echo the people. We represent them. We are supposed to study up and do the homework that they cannot do. So when we do not follow regular order—when we rush to pass bills a lot of us do not understand—we are not doing our job. Only a fully functioning House can truly represent the people.
What a relief to them it would be if we finally got our act together—what a weight off their shoulders. How reassuring it would be if we actually fixed the tax code, put patients in charge of their health care, grew our economy, strengthened our military, lifted people out of poverty, and paid down the debt. At this point, nothing could be more inspiring than a job well done. Nothing could stir the heart more than real, concrete results.
Source:
Ryan, Paul. (October 29, 2015). "Paul Ryan elected speaker transcript (full text, video)". Politico. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
Watch his speech or read a transcript here.
Appealing for Clean Slate as Speaker Gavel Changes Hands | The New York Times
House Elects Paul Ryan as New Speaker | The Wall Street Journal
Paul Ryan elected House speaker | The Washington Post