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House GOP, eager to mend wounds, ready to make Ryan speaker

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., flanked by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., left, and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, after a Special GOP Leadership Election. Republicans in the House of Representatives have nominated Ryan to become the chamber's next speaker, hoping he can lead them out of weeks of disarray and point them toward accomplishments they can highlight in next year's elections. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., flanked by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., left, and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, after a Special GOP Leadership Election. Republicans in the House of Representatives have nominated Ryan to become the chamber's next speaker, hoping he can lead them out of weeks of disarray and point them toward accomplishments they can highlight in next year's elections. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

By Associated Press October 29, 2015 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Republicans are ready to make Rep. Paul Ryan the next House speaker, hoping the young but grizzled lawmaker can heal the party’s bitter divisions and craft a conservative message to woo voters in next year’s elections.

The House planned to formally elect the Wisconsin Republican to the post Thursday. Lawmakers will vote aloud one by one in a tradition that bespeaks the dignity of a chamber that lately has been more rowdy than respectful.

With the GOP controlling 247 of the House’s 435 votes, Ryan’s election was assured. That’s the virtually certain outcome despite grumbling from conservatives demanding more say in how the House operates.

Before that vote, outgoing Speaker John Boehner will deliver a farewell speech. He announced his resignation last month, chased away by several dozen hard-line conservatives.