Paul Ryan wins speaker role

Paul Ryan

And the new speaker of the House is – Paul Ryan. The Wisconsin congressman was elected to the House leadership slot with 236 votes Thursday, putting to end a weeks-long debate about who would be taking over for retiring John Boehner, and saying, in brief remarks to colleagues, friends and family and a watching television audience: America's greatest days are still coming.

Ryan, the youngest speaker in more than 130 years, opened with thanks to family and friends and then spoke kindly of Boehner.

"Not many can match his accomplishments," Ryan said. "But what sets John apart is he's a real man of character. ... Thank you, Speaker Boehner."

He then called on his fellow politicians to "pray for a deeper understanding" since "we are all in the same boat," he said.

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Quoting Harry Truman, Ryan went on: "'If you ever pray, pray for me now.' We should all feel like that. ... A lot is on our shoulders. So let's pray for each other. Republicans for Democrats and Democrats for Republicans."

Ryan called for change in how the House conducts business, saying committees ought to take the lead in drafting legislation.

He also reminded: "We represent the people" and should not "rush to pass bills we do not understand." Neither, he said, should Congress act outside its rightful roles.

"America does not feel strong anymore because the working people of America do not feel strong anymore," he went on. "I'm talking about the people who mind the store ... and this House should work for them."

And he pushed for "more concrete results" from Congress, vowing not to duck the tough issues but instead help the average American.

"They feel cheated ... they just want a fair chance and they're losing faith they will ever get it," Ryan said, speaking to Americans' concerns. "Then they look at Washington and all they see is chaos. How reassuring it would be if we actually fixed the tax code, put patients in charge of health care ... and paid down our debt."

And the crowd-pleaser?

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This line, drawing great applause: "No more favors for the few. Opportunity for all. That is our motto," he said.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who just won her own party leadership post with 184 votes, delivered brief remarks, as well, beginning with a fond farewell to Boehner.

"John Boehner, you are the personification of the American dream," Pelosi said. "Thank you, John, for your leadership and courage as speaker."

Pelosi then "extend[ed] the hand of friendship" to Ryan, finishing her remarks with a "God bless America" message.

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Boehner, who served as speaker since 2011, had said goodbye to congressional colleagues just minutes earlier, praising his aides and assistants for their hard work and saying "no one in Congress can be who they are without staff." The outgoing Ohio congressman also said he's spent his life chasing the "American dream."

"I leave with no regrets, no burdens," he said as he prepared to hand over the gavel to his successor. "I leave the way I started – a regular guy humbled to do a big job."

The chamber proceedings included the presence of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and wife, Ann.

The welcome ceremony wrapped with Rep. John Conyers delivering the oath of office to Ryan, asking if he agreed to defend the Constitution, "so help you God."

Ryan: "I do."