Skip to content

Reid Says He’s Team Ryan (Video)

(Al Drago/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
(Al Drago/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Updated 5:15 p.m. | House Ways and Means Chairman Paul D. Ryan just got an unwelcomed endorsement for speaker.  

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters Tuesday that he hopes the Wisconsin Republican is selected by his colleagues to succeed retiring Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio.  

“He appears to me to be one of the people over there that would be reasonable. I mean, look at some of the other people. I’m a Paul Ryan fan,” Reid said. “I don’t agree with him on much of what he does. I think what he’s done with Medicare and Medicaid, what he’s wanted to do I disagree with, but generally speaking I think that … we’ve been able to work with him.”  

Reid Supports Ryan for Speaker

Loading the player...

Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., told CQ Roll Call he concurs with Reid’s assessment.  

“His agreement with Patty Murray was excellent — bipartisan compromise — and we don’t see much of that coming out of the House Republicans. So, it’s understandable that … many of us are hoping that there will be a reasonable speaker,” Durbin said.  

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., said in a brief interview Ryan is “a reliable conservative.” But that’s where she draws the line.  

“Then I make all assessments from there,” she said. “I think he eventually worked with Sen. Murray and came up with the budget deal. I think we were complimentary of the outcome and whether he’ll make a good speaker or not, we’ll have to see how that goes.”  

Matthew Fleming contributed to this report.     

See photos, follies, HOH Hits and Misses and more at Roll Call’s new video site. Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.

Recent Stories

Capitol Lens | O’s face

Mayorkas impeachment headed to Senate for April 11 trial

Muslim American appeals court nominee loses Democratic support

At the Races: Lieberman lookback

Court says South Carolina can use current congressional map

Joseph Lieberman: A Capitol life in photos