WTMJ, WLIP, and WRJN - Paul Ryan on Listening Sessions, Obamacare Repeal, Speaker Boehner, and the Pope's Address to Congress

Interview

This morning Wisconsin's First District Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) spoke to WTMJ's Charlie Sykes, WLIP's Bill Lawrence, and WRJN's Mike Clemens about a range of topics, including: Listening sessions happening throughout southern Wisconsin in the coming days, Pope Francis's address to Congress, and Speaker Boehner's resignation.

Holding listening sessions to answer questions from Wisconsinites:
"This Friday and Monday we are having listening sessions [throughout the district], so please check out our website: paulryan.house.gov, or give us a call at 888-909-RYAN. We are doing them in every corner of the district just to hear what people have to say."

Repealing unpopular provisions of Obamacare:
"I will be marking up Obamacare legislation in the Ways and Means Committee tomorrow which we will use the Budget Act so we can [circumvent] the filibuster in the Senate and get it on the President's desk. That is one of the assurances of the Republican conference. We begin that process tomorrow, dealing with Obamacare."

Addressing Speaker Boehner's Resignation:
"John basically just decided in a very selfless act not to even attempt a vote on his speakership, which would have been very divisive. I think there are so many people frustrated with what we have not been able to accomplish, but it's not because we haven't wanted to accomplish these things. We have divided government, and it's the limits of the Constitution, and more importantly the Senate filibuster."

Deciding not to pursue the Speakership:
"I feel that I can do so much more for Wisconsin and the country as chairman of Ways and Means Committee, which is in charge of all the issues that I have focused my career on. I think the next presidency is going to be the make-or-break moment for America and I want to stay focused on that."

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"The Ways and Means Committee is in charge of the issues that I've worked on so hard, economic growth, preventing a debt crisis, getting people from welfare to work, and I want to stay in the position I am in so I can make the biggest difference."

Experiencing Pope Francis's address to a joint meeting of Congress:
"I thought it was a fantastic visit -- it was great. I got to participate in all of the Washington, D.C., events. As a Catholic, it was a very moving experience. And I think his visit was just spectacular. I think his message was on target. I think the symbolism, his own personal joy, and his unique nature was just great. And as Catholics we call it the "new evangelization,' which is making the Catholic Church more inviting, more inclusive, and more attractive. I think he's doing such a good job on that. It was a really good visit."

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"I thought his message was beautiful. He gave a very good pastoral, unifying message. And so, I just thought it was a spectacular week and a great visit all around."

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