Paul Ryan Won't Seek Re-Election, Plans to Retire in January

He reportedly plans to serve out his current term and then retire in January.

This is a picture of Paul Ryan.
Getty

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

This is a picture of Paul Ryan.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan won't seek re-election this fall.

Ryan shared that this will be his last year in the House of Representatives, Axios reported earlier this morning. He plans to serve out his current term and then retire in January.

Ryan's friends say that after accomplishing his dream of passing tax reform, his job became increasingly more frustrated with the election of Donald Trump (who he ended up voting for anyway).

CNN reports his decision was rooted in dedicating more time towards his family. Additionally, earlier this year, he denied a rumor he wouldn't seek re-election.

Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Majority Whip Steve Scalise, both Republicans, are expected to fulfill Ryan's position as Speaker. 

However, Democrats are ramping up and re-investing their energy into this fall's midterm elections, where they hope to take back the House of Representatives and inch just a little closer to a Democratic win in the 2020 presidential election. VICE calls Ryan's resignation "a gift to House Democrats" since it proves conservatives can't hold the legislative body permanently, even during the Trump administration.

Ryan has been serving in Congress since 1999 and has been House Speaker since 2015.

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