Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 1st district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Neumann |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Janna Ryan |
| Children | Liza Ryan Charlie Ryan Sam Ryan |
| Residence | Janesville, Wisconsin |
| Alma mater | Miami University |
| Occupation | marketing consultant, political assistant |
Paul D. Ryan, Jr. (born January 29, 1970) is an American politician and Congressman from Wisconsin. He is a member of the Republican Party, and represents Wisconsin's 1st congressional district (map) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Personal life
Ryan, born and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin, is a fifth-generation Wisconsin native currently serving his sixth term in Congress.
Ryan is a graduate of Joseph A. Craig High School in Janesville and earned a degree in economics and political science from Miami University in Ohio where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He has worked in the private sector as an economic analyst and previously served as president of his own consulting firm.
Ryan and his wife Janna live in Janesville, Wisconsin with their children, Liza, Charlie and Sam.
Political career
Ryan worked as an aide to U.S. Senator Bob Kasten beginning in 1992 and as legislative director for Sam Brownback of Kansas from 1995 to 1997. He worked as a speechwriter to "drug czar" William Bennett and to Jack Kemp during his run for the vice presidency.
He was first elected to the House in 1998 after two-term incumbent Mark Neumann made an unsuccessful bid for the Senate. Ryan defeated 35-year-old beer distributor Brian Morello in the Republican primary and Democrat Lydia Spottswood in the general election by a 57-42 margin.
He defeated Jeffrey C. Thomas in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006. In the general election on November 4, 2008, Ryan defeated Marge Krupp, the Democratic candidate
Legislation
On May 21, 2008 Ryan introduced H.R. 6110, titled "Roadmap for America's Future Act of 2008".[1] This proposed legislation outlined a plan to deal with entitlement issues. Its stated objectives were to ensure universal access to health insurance; strengthen Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security; lift the debt from future generations; and promote economic growth and job creation in America.[2] The act would have abolished the State Children's Health Insurance Program in 2010.[3] The act did not move past committee.[4]
On April 1, 2009, Paul Ryan introduced the GOP Alternative to the 2010 United States federal budget. This proposed alternative would eliminate the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, cut the top tax-rate down to 25%, and impose a 5-year spending freeze on all discretionary spending.[5] Ryan's proposed budget was heavily criticized for the lack of concrete numbers and the proposed privatization of Medicare.[citation needed] It was ultimately rejected in the house by a vote of 293-137, with 38 Republicans in opposition.[6]
In a interview on CBS [2] Ryan stated "I will have a moment of bipartisan agreement. We should have fixed this under our watch and I’m frustrated we didn’t." He voted "no" and has blocked any effort to allow the Democratic Healthcare Bill to pass.[citation needed]
Committee assignments
- Committee on the Budget (Ranking Republican member)
- Committee on Ways and Means
Electoral history
- 2008 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 1st District
- Paul Ryan (R) (inc.), 64%
- Marge Krupp (D), 35%
- Joseph Kexel (L), 1%
- 2006 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 1st District
- Paul Ryan (R) (inc.), 160,033 votes, 63%
- Jeffrey Thomas (D), 95,303 votes, 37%
- 2004 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 1st District
- Paul Ryan (R) (inc.), 65%
- Jeffrey Thomas (D), 33%
- 2002 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 1st District
- Paul Ryan (R) (inc.), 67%
- Jeffrey Thomas (D), 31%
- 2000 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 1st District
- Paul Ryan (R) (inc.), 67%
- Jeffrey Thomas (D), 33%
- 1998 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 1st District
- Paul Ryan (R), 57%
- Lydia Spottswood (D), 43%
References
- ^ H.R. 6110: Roadmap for America's Future Act of 2008. United States Congress. Government Printing Office.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Summary of H.R. 6110: Roadmap for America's Future Act of 2008". Congressional Research Service. Library of Congress.
- ^ "All Congressional Actions of H.R. 6110: Roadmap for America's Future Act of 2008". Library of Congress.
- ^ "The GOP's Alternative Budget". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ "38 Republicans Vote Against GOP's Alternative Budget". Newsmax.
External links
- Congressman Paul Ryan U.S. House website
- Paul Ryan for U.S. Congress campaign site