Paul Ryan Demands Repeal of Founding Father Thomas Jefferson’s Rule

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) wants to repeal a rule put in place by the third President of the United States and Founding Father – Thomas Jefferson – before he’d become Speaker of the House.

Breitbart News’ Charlie Spiering reported Tuesday night following Ryan’s press conference announcing he will run for Speaker if his demands were met:

According to Ryan’s spokesperson Brendan Buck, his demands included a change in the process for motion to “vacate the chair.”

“No matter who is speaker, they cannot be successful with this weapon pointed at them all the time,” Buck told reporters before Ryan’s speech.

The provision Ryan wants repealed was authored by America’s Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, according to National Review, in order to give members of the House power to remove the sitting Speaker of the House. It’s the motion Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) and the House Freedom Caucus used to oust Rep. John Boehner (R-OH).

“It’s the piece of parliamentary procedure that’s been cited in the attempts to dethrone John Boehner, and based on conversations with two Freedom Caucus members, could prove Ryan’s most difficult obstacle to gaining their support,” noted National Review’s Elaina Plott.