Paul Ryan says yes to speaker spot, with conditions

Paul Ryan

Rep. Paul Ryan told fellow Republicans he will indeed run for speaker of the House, but only if they first agree to his list of demands – and shortly after announcing, Rep. jason Chaffetz, one of the leading contenders for the role, agreed to bow out.

But Ryan was clear he had caveats.

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First and foremost, Ryan said he wants to be an "unifying figure," not party divider. Among his specific conditions, CNN reported: He'll only run if the three main House Republican conference groups – the House Freedom Caucus, the Republican Study Committee and the Tuesday Group – support him, and if rules are changed to make it more difficult to overthrow a seated speaker. Ryan also wants an opportunity to have a more balanced work-family life atmosphere, and not be pressed into staying as many hours on Capitol Hill as the outgoing John Boehner was.

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"I cannot and will not give up my family time," he said in a statement to reporters.

Ryan made the announcement behind closed congressional doors, saying: "It's not a job I've ever wanted, I've ever sought. I'm in the job I've always wanted here in Congress. I came to the conclusion that this is a very dire moment, not just for Congress, not just for the Republican Party, but for our country. And I think our country is in desperate need of leadership."

Members in Congress were quick to rally.

"I'm out and all in for Paul Ryan," said Chaffetz, who had announced a run for the speaker slot weeks ago, the Hill reported.

Tuesday Group chairman Rep. Charlie Dent saw Ryan as a positive for the leadership spot.

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"I could very easily support Paul Ryan," he said, the news outlet reported.

But others weren't so sure. Rep. Matt Salmon, one of the founding members of the House Freedom Caucus, had this to say, the Hill reported: "I think a lot of things have to play out first."

Fox News reported lawmakers will meet October 28 to vote on the new speaker.