Paul Davis Ryan Jr.
Ryan served 20 years in the House, ascending to Speaker (Oct 2015 to Jan 2019). This profile grades his 2016-cycle Speaker tenure (Jan 2017-Jan 2019), the most consequential window covering the 115th Congress under unified Republican control. He chose not to seek re-election in 2018.
Paul Davis Ryan Jr.
- among Republican representatives8th of 113
- among all representatives8th of 260
All tracked promises
Repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
The American Health Care Act passed the House 217-213 on May 4, 2017 with Ryan's support, but failed in the Senate. The 'skinny repeal' amendment (H.R.1628) failed 49-51 on July 28, 2017 (McCain, Collins, Murkowski no). The ACA remained in force at end-of-term.
Pass comprehensive tax reform.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Pub.L. 115-97) passed the House 224-201 on Dec 19, 2017 and was signed Dec 22, 2017. It cut the corporate rate from 35% to 21%, lowered individual rates through 2025, and doubled the standard deduction.
Confirm conservative judges, especially to the Supreme Court.
Justice Neil Gorsuch was confirmed April 7, 2017 (54-45). Justice Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed Oct 6, 2018 (50-48). 85 Article III judges were confirmed during Ryan's speakership, including 30 circuit-court judges.
Reform entitlements (Medicare and Social Security).
Ryan's signature 'Path to Prosperity' Medicare-premium-support proposal did not receive a House floor vote during the 115th Congress. Social Security was not addressed in legislation. Ryan acknowledged this regret in his Apr 2018 retirement announcement.
Pass border-security funding and enforcement reforms.
H.R.4760 (Securing America's Future Act) failed the House 193-231 on June 21, 2018. A compromise bill that paired DACA relief with $25B in wall funding also failed. The FY2018 omnibus did include $1.6B in border-fencing funds but well below the $25B requested.
Cut regulations to spur economic growth.
Congress used the Congressional Review Act 16 times in early 2017 to overturn Obama-era rules (vs. just one prior CRA use in U.S. history). The 115th Congress passed and Trump signed all 16 resolutions, a substantial dereg push by historical standards.
Pass criminal-justice reform.
The First Step Act (Pub.L. 115-391) passed the House 358-36 on Dec 20, 2018 with Ryan's vocal support and was signed Dec 21, 2018. It reduced mandatory minimums, expanded compassionate release, and incentivized recidivism-reduction programs.
Increase military spending.
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 raised defense caps by $80B for FY2018 and $85B for FY2019. The John S. McCain NDAA for FY2019 (Pub.L. 115-232) authorized $717B in defense spending, an $82B increase over FY2017.
Address opioid epidemic.
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (Pub.L. 114-198, July 2016) and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (Pub.L. 115-271, Oct 24, 2018) were both signed during Ryan's speakership. The latter directed billions in funding and expanded Medicaid coverage for SUD treatment.
Investigate IRS-targeting and other oversight commitments.
House Ways and Means under Ryan referred IRS Commissioner John Koskinen for impeachment May 2016; impeachment effort died in House Judiciary. The IRS issued a public apology and paid $3.5M to settle Tea Party group lawsuits in 2017.
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