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The Financial Express

US House Speaker Paul Ryan announces retirement

| Updated: April 14, 2018 13:48:03


Photo- Reuters Photo- Reuters

US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan will not run for re-election this year, in a big blow to Republicans with mid-term elections looming.

Congress’ most powerful lawmaker said he would not stand for another term in his Wisconsin district this November.

Republicans already face a tough challenge from Democrats to keep control of the lower chamber, says a BBC report.

Ryan joins nearly 30 House Republicans who have announced this year they are retiring outright.

Democrats need 23 seats to take over the House.

In a Wednesday morning news conference, Ryan said the decision was family-related.

“You all know that I did not seek this job,” he said. “I took it reluctantly.”

“But I have given this job everything. I have no regrets whatsoever for having accepted this responsibility.”

He continued: “But the truth is it’s easy for it to take over everything in your life and you can’t just let that happen.”

The 48-year-old father-of-three said he did not want to be known by his children as ‘only a weekend dad’.

Ryan said he would retire in January after finishing his congressional term.

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