McConnell: Speaker Ryan's Optimism and Energy Never Waned
‘Two and a half years ago, Paul Ryan was drafted by his colleagues in the House to lead them through a new era. Like a true leader, Paul stepped up to the plate. He answered his colleagues’ call with exactly the earnest, selfless, and focused approach that has defined his entire career in Congress. The results have been beyond impressive… It has been a sincere pleasure and a real inspiration to work alongside this humble servant and happy warrior.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Speaker Paul Ryan’s announcement that he will not seek re-election:
“This morning, Speaker Ryan announced to his colleagues that he’ll be departing the House at the conclusion of the 115th Congress. Two and a half years ago, Paul Ryan was drafted by his colleagues to lead the House through a new era. Like a true leader, Paul stepped up to the plate. He answered his colleagues’ call with exactly the earnest, selfless, and focused approach that has defined his entire career in Congress. The results have been beyond impressive.
“Capping off a remarkable twenty-year career in Congress, Paul’s speakership has yielded one signature accomplishment after another for his conference, his constituents in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, and the American people. True to his career-long reputation as a champion for pro-growth economics, Paul helped lead the way on last year’s once-in-a-generation rewrite of the nation’s tax code. Thanks in large part to his personal passion and expertise, tax reform became a reality, and our economy is charting a new course toward greater prosperity and opportunity.
“On its own, this generational accomplishment would secure the Speaker’s legacy as a transformational conservative leader. But of course, it is far from the only fruit of his speakership. His leadership was vital to securing everything from the largest year-on-year increase in defense funding in fifteen years to a remaking of the way we treat and find cures for rare diseases.
“What’s more, Paul has paired that ambitious agenda with infectious good cheer and an unflagging commitment to serve all Americans. Amidst all the stresses and pressures of leadership, Paul’s optimism and energy never waned. It has been a sincere pleasure and a real inspiration to work alongside this humble servant and happy warrior.
“I’m glad we can count on his continued leadership through the rest of this year, because our work together is far from finished. I look forward to collaborating closely these next months to implement more of the inclusive, pro-growth, pro-opportunity agenda the American people are counting on us to keep advancing.”
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