Share
1 of 25
Rep. Paul Ryan, R.-Wisconsin, was elected the 54th speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, October 29, after receiving the votes of 236 members. The vote was largely a formality after House Republicans nominated him for the position on Wednesday, October 28. Andrew Harnik/AP
Ryan announced Monday, January 12, that he would not run for president in 2016, preferring instead to focus on policy work as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Ryan, the GOP's 2012 vice presidential nominee, has long been seen as a top contender for the presidency. John Gress/Getty Images
Ryan, center, speaks with Rep. Devin Nunes, R-California, before a House Ways and Means Committee meeting on March 12, 2014. JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
Ryan and his wife, Janna, arrive at a state dinner at the White House in honor of French President Francois Hollande on February 11, 2014 . Andrew Harrer/Pool/Getty Images
Willie Robertson of the reality TV series "Duck Dynasty" poses for a picture with Ryan and his wife, Janna, before President Obama delivers his State of the Union address on January 28, 2014. JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Ryan speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on March 15, 2013. NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
Ryan greets supporters during a presidential campaign rally with Mitt Romney at The Square at Union Centre in West Chester, Ohio, on November 2, 2012. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin speaks during a campagin stop at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on August 13, 2012. It was the newly minted GOP vice presidential candidate's first solo stop since becoming Romney's running mate. Getty Images
Ryan speaks after Romney announced him as his running mate in Norfolk, Virginia, on August 11, 2012. Getty Images
Romney introduced Ryan as his running mate in front of the USS Wisconsin. The seven-term congressman provides a strong contrast to the Obama administration on fiscal policy. Getty Images
Romney jokes with Ryan in April 2012 during a pancake brunch at Bluemound Gardens in Milwaukee. Getty Images
Ryan looks on as Romney greets people June 18, 2012, during a campaign event in Janesville, Wisconsin. Getty Images
Ryan speaks while campaigning for Romney at a textile factory in Janesville, Wisconsin, on June 18, 2012. Rich Brooks/CNN
Ryan, left, and Romney greet each other on stage April 3, 2012, during the primary night gathering at The Grain Exchange in Milwaukee. Getty Images
Ryan introduces Romney at a town hall meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 2, 2012. Landov
Ryan is introduced before speaking about the federal budget at Georgetown University on April 26, 2012. Getty Images
Ryan holds a news conference in December 2011 in Washington to introduce a package of 10 legislative reforms designed to revamp the budget process. Getty Images
Ryan listens as Ben Bernanke, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, speaks at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget annual conference in Washington on June 14, 2011. Bloomberg/Getty Images
Ryan looks over papers as he waits for other House Republicans to arrive for a news conference in the Capitol Visitors Center in 2010. Roll Call Photos/Getty Images
Ryan speaks to the media in 2009 about President Barack Obama's 2010 budget proposal. Bloomberg/Getty Images
Ryan, left, and Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire speak to reporters about the 2010 federal budget. Bloomberg/Getty Images
Then-Budget Committee Chairman John M. Spratt Jr., left, and ranking member Ryan listen to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testify during the House Budget hearing on the economy on January 17, 2008. Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images
Ryan follows President George W. Bush off of Air Force One at General Mitchell International Airport - Air Reserve Station in Milwaukee on July 11, 2006. AFP/Getty Images
Ryan speaks at a Cato Institute briefing on Medicare reform in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington on July 22, 2003. Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images
Speaker of the House Denis Hastert, left, administers the oath of office to Ryan at the beginning of his first term as representative of Wisconsin on January 6, 1999. Getty Images
