Speaker Paul Ryan announced he is retiring after this term, arguing his kids only know him as “a weekend dad,” and he is “setting new priorities in his life” as his children approach adulthood.
“The truth is, it’s easy for it to take over everything in your life,” Ryan said of the speaker’s job, adding that “there are other things in life that are feeling as well,” including his role as a father.
“This was really about two things,” Ryan added. “I accomplished much of what I came here to do, and my kids are not getting any younger.”
“And if I stay, my kids are only going to know me as a weekend dad and that is something I cannot do. That is really it right there.”
Ryan said he is not resigning and will remain through January.
He touted his achievements, notably tax reform.
“To be clear, I am not resigning, ” Ryan said “I intend to serve my full term as I was elected to do.”
Ryan was met with standing ovations, tears and long faces from rank-and-file Republicans in the party’s weekly morning conference meeting, which was transformed from the usual policy discussion to a goodbye party of sorts.
Longtime allies emerged from the meeting to say they understood Ryan’s decision.
Ryan did not disclose to lawmakers any of the simmering frustrations of working with the Trump administration, which Ryan has always publicly denied. And he did not signal that his departure is in anticipation of Republicans losing the House majority, which some analysts are projecting.
Ryan said he plans to hang on to the speaker’s gavel than abandon the job now for his successor. Ryan downplayed predictions the GOP will be in the minority in January and said it did not factor into his decision to quit.
“I have every confidence that I’ll be handing the gavel on to the next Republican speaker of the House next year.”
Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, who is also retiring, said his children are around the same age as Ryan’s teenage brood. Hensarling wants to spend time with them before they leave home, which will be soon.
“Paul’s kids are roughly the same age as mine and he’s made that realization,” Hensarling said. “He did it for the right reason, his family.”
Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., who heads the conservative Republican Study Committee, said Ryan told lawmakers he is most proud of passing a major tax reform law and boosting military spending.
Walker said he believes Ryan will now try to move entitlement reform, even though he is on his way out.
“He is going to continue to push hard,” Walker said. “I think he’s going to work in every way to push for the results on that.”
Walker said lawmakers understood Ryan’s desire to spend more time with his kids.
Ryan’s job includes not only running the House but traveling around the country as the party’s lead House fundraiser.
“Paul is a man of character,” Walker said. “He is answering a higher calling and that is to his family. His children are of an age where he needs to be more than a Sunday dad. And most of us understand that.”
