Paul Ryan

As so it begins.  The budget debate is in full swing – especially with Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity budget released on April 5^th.  The proposed Republican 2012 budget, which would cut $6.2 trillion in federal spending over the next decade while overhauling Medicare and Medicaid, will be at the forefront of the ongoing political tussle roaring between the House, Senate, and the White House.  Paul Ryan’s budget will undoubtedly play a major role in the 2012 Presidential elections – with some political pundits even mentioning Rep. Ryan as a potential Republican presidential candidate.  It should come as no surprise then that Representative Paul Ryan is our Member of the Week.

Born on January 29, 1970 in Janesville, Wisconsin, Paul Ryan is a fifth-generation Wisconsin native.  He attended Miami University of Ohio, where he graduated in 1992 with a degree in economics and political science.  Like many of his Member of the Week comrades, Ryan started his involvement in politics during college.  Starting as an aide to U.S. Senator Bob Kasten, Ryan went on to become a speechwriter for former U.S. Representative, House Secretary, and vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp and former Education Secretary and “Drug Czar” William Bennett at Empower America, a conservative think thank.  His last political role before running for the U.S. House was that of legislative director for Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas.

His political career in the House started with a landslide victory in 1998.  In fact, in terms of facing adversity, Paul Ryan hasn’t faced any.  In 1998, after Rep. Mark Neumann ran unsuccessfully for Sen. Russ Feingold’s seat, Ryan went after the open House seat.  After easily winning the Republican primary, he faced Lydia Spottswood in the general election.  Both candidates spent more than $1 million on their respective campaigns but Ryan won, 57 to 43 percent.  Since then Ryan has won each re-election campaign by a wide-margin.  His influence within the House – and the respect he commands from fellow Republicans – led to his upset defeat in 2007 of Representative Ander Crenshaw to become ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee.  At the time of his victory Ryan was 13^th in seniority on the committee.

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI)

Paul Ryan’s allure in the Republican Party comes down to his ability to carefully toe the line when it comes to the overall party message.  He votes with the majority of Republicans over 90% of the time yet is seen as a moderate when it comes to foreign policy.  Furthermore, he isn’t afraid to push his own party.  After the 2008 elections, Ryan wrote in the Wall Street Journal that Republicans needed “a substantial shake-up” in order to return to the fiscal conservatism that once characterized the party.  Moreover, elements of his support base are different when compared to other fellow GOP members.  As a result of his upbringing in organized labor – his family runs a construction business – Ryan receives endorsements and campaign donations from unions.  In fact, twice, the Carpenters and Joiners Union has been a top donor to his campaign.

As chairman of the House Committee on the Budget, Ryan’s budgetary proposals have steadily evolved.  On May 21, 2008 Ryan introduced H.R. 6110, titled Roadmap for America’s Future Act of 2008. It outlined a plan to deal with entitlement issues and would have abolished the State Children’s Health Insurance Program in 2010.  This first attempt did not move past committee.  On April 1, 2009, he introduced his alternative to the 2010 federal budget.  This act – criticized by opponents for the lack of concrete numbers – lowered the top tax rate to 25%, would have replaced the Medicare system, and imposed a five-year spending freeze on all discretionary spending, amongst other ideas.  It was ultimately rejected in the House by a vote of 293-137, with 38 Republicans in opposition.

Paul Ryan remains a polarizing figure.  Depending on whom you listen to he is deemed a “shining light in the Republican Party” or “wonkish.”  His budget will not only go a long way in deciding his future political endeavors but also the fortunes of the Republican Party.  Either way, Paul Ryan finds himself at the political point of no return.

– Amendment202

Enjoy our article on Rep. Paul Ryan, check out our other Members of the Week.