WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) — Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan was elected Thursday to serve as speaker of the House after weeks of uncertainty.Ryan, the 62th House speaker, won 236 votes to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi‘s 184, enough to take the House seat. Ryan received a standing ovation as he was announced new speaker with his wife Janna, and children Liza, 13, Charlie, 12, and Sam, 10. looking on..Conservatives will now look to Ryan, an influential committee chairman and 2012 vice presidential nominee, to bring together the splintered Republican party and encourage House lawmakers to function cohesively..Florida Rep. Daniel Webster received nine votes.In a prepared speech, Ryan is expected to called for greater unity among the factions in the House and a renewed vision for his party.”We have nothing to fear from honest differences honestly stated,” he will say, according to the prepared remarks. “If you have ideas, let’s hear them. A greater clarity between us can lead to a greater charity among us.”Ryan was officially nominated Wednesday for Speaker of the House by GOP Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers..
With his election, Ryan, 45, is the youngest person to hold the seat since 1896. The last 20 speakers were an average of 63 years old when they took the position.
