Texas Republican delegation endorses Chairman Paul Ryan for Speaker after demands made

Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX) (not pictured) issued a statement supporting Paul Ryan (R-WI) as Speaker of the House.

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Texas Republican Delegation has endorsed Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.

"Chairman Ryan met with the Texas Republican Delegation this morning to present his conservative vision for the House of Representatives and our nation. After hearing Chairman Ryan’s presentation, Members of the delegation were given time to ask any questions. The delegation then met without Chairman Ryan and reached a consensus to endorse him. Other Texans that considered running for Speaker have withdrawn their names and will support Chairman Ryan," the Dean of the Texas Delegation, Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX) stated October 22 on behalf of the group.

"As Ways and Means Chairman and Budget Chairman, Paul Ryan has demonstrated an ability to lead and work with Texans on those committees and with the Texas delegation as a whole. We expect Chairman Ryan will continue to act in a Texas-friendly manner as Speaker of the House."

Ryan told his Republican colleagues that he's ready to get to work as a unified team.

"I never thought I’d be speaker. But I pledged to you that if I could be a unifying figure, then I would serve—I would go all in. After talking with so many of you, and hearing your words of encouragement, I believe we are ready to move forward as a one, united team. And I am ready and eager to be our speaker," Ryan stated in a letter to his Republican colleagues on October 22.

Click here to read Ryan's full letter to his Republican colleagues from October 22.

When Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Majority Leader, dropped his run for Speaker of the House, Ryan stated he would not seek the position.

"Kevin McCarthy is best person to lead the House, and so I’m disappointed in this decision. Now it is important that we, as a Conference, take time to deliberate and seek new candidates for the speakership. While I am grateful for the encouragement I’ve received, I will not be a candidate. I continue to believe I can best serve the country and this conference as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee," Ryan said on October 8.

Ryan reconsidered and issued demands to the Conference on October 20 before stepping up to run.

"Basically I made a few requests for what I think is necessary, and I asked to hear back by the end of the week," Ryan said.

"First, we need to move from being an opposition party to a proposition party. Because we think the nation is on the wrong path, we have a duty to show the right one. Our next speaker needs to be a visionary one."

Ryan's second request was to seek rule changes in the House that would make it more difficult to oust a Speaker of the House during his term.

"Second, we need to update our House rules so that everyone can be a more effective representative. This is, after all, the people’s house. But we need to do it as a team. And it needs to include fixes that ensure we don’t experience constant leadership challenges and crisis," Ryan said.

His third request sought a unified Conference as to prevent division during the election for Speaker of the House.

"Third, we, as a conference, should unify now, and not after a divisive speaker election," Ryan stated.

Ryan's last request to the Conference was to not expect him to give up family time should he become Speaker of the House.

"The last one is personal. I cannot and will not give up my family time. I may not be able to be on the road as much as previous speakers, but I pledged to make up for it with more time communicating our message," he said.

"What I told the members is, if you can agree to these requests, and I can truly be a unifying figure, then I will gladly serve. And, if I am not unifying, that is fine as well. I will be happy to stay where am, at the Ways and Means Committee."

Click here to read Ryan's full speech from October 20.