While some are suggesting House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) will be holding the gavel for the foreseeable future, Boehner reportedly called Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) Thursday after House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthry (R-CA) announced he was dropping out of the speaker’s race and asked Ryan to run.
Two unnamed sources confirmed to the Washington Post the conversation, which took place over two “long” phone calls. According to the Post’s Robert Costa, Boehner told Ryan — a budget wonk who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee — he could influence policy from the leadership post while serving as a healer for the divided caucus.
Almost immediately after news broke McCarthy was dropping his bid, Ryan issued a statement saying he would not be a candidate for speaker.
