Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) is pledging to Republican lawmakers that, if elected House Speaker, he would not attempt immigration reform, according to a report from the Washington Free Beacon.
The Wisconsin lawmaker lacks faith in President Obama’s ability to be honest on the issue of immigration and will not be confronting the hot-button issue while Obama remains in office, a Ryan spokesman explained to the Free Beacon.
Ryan “understands that we can’t address that issue with a president we can’t trust,” spokesman Brendan Buck emailed the Free Beacon.
While Ryan may not pursue immigration reform under Obama, the Ways and Means chairman has, in the past, sought to mend the nation’s immigration system with comprehensive reform efforts. A fact that has not been lost on critics of a Ryan speakership who fear the former vice presidential candidate might not be conservative enough.
Following the Tuesday evening meeting, Ryan said publicly that he will run for Speaker if the caucus will unify behind him.
“What I told the members is, if you can agree to these requests, and if I can truly be a unifying figure, then I will gladly serve. And, if I am not unifying, that will be fine as well. I will be happy to stay where am, at the Ways and Means Committee,” Ryan said.
Out-going House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has scheduled the internal GOP elections for speaker next Wednesday followed by the full vote on the House floor Thursday.
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