Paul Ryan elected Speaker of the House

By David Lawder and Richard Cowan Reuters

10 years ago

Outgoing House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, right, greets incoming House Speaker Paul Ryan during the election for the new Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 29, 2015. (Gary Cameron/Reuters)

Outgoing House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, right, embraces incoming House Speaker Paul Ryan during the election for the new Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 29, 2015. (Gary Cameron/Reuters)

Outgoing House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, waves after addressing colleagues during the election for the new Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in the House Chamber in Washington, Oct.29, 2015. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Rep. Paul Ryan, right, waves on the floor prior to the start of the election for the new Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in the House Chamber in Washington, Oct.29, 2015. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

U.S. House of Representives Speaker-elect Paul Ryan, left, gestures as he stands with outgoing Speaker John Boehner after Ryan was elected on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 29, 2015. (Gary Cameron/Reuters)

Outgoing U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohion, right, greets House Speaker-elect Paul Ryan during the election for the new Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 29, 2015. (Gary Cameron/Reuters)

Newly elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan addresses the House for the first time on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 29, 2015. (Gary Cameron/Reuters)

Newly elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan is sworn in to succeed outgoing Speaker John Boehner on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 29, 2015. (Gary Cameron/Reuters)

Newly elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan waves to his family after being elected on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 29, 2015. (Gary Cameron/Reuters)

Newly elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan places his hand on a bible as he is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct.29, 2015. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Newly elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryanm, left, addresses the House for the first time on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 29, 2015. (Gary Cameron/Reuters)

Former U.S. House Speaker and current Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (L) hands newly-elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan the gavel during during the election for the new speaker on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 29, 2015. (Gary Cameron/Reuters)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted to install Republican Rep. Paul Ryan as its new speaker, replacing John Boehner following a revolt by conservative lawmakers who forced his retirement.

Ryan won 236 votes among the 247 Republicans in the chamber, indicating that the Wisconsin congressman was deserted by only a handful of the conservatives who pushed out Boehner.

His main Republican challenger, Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida, received nine votes, while former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Rep. Jim Cooper of Tennessee each received one vote.

Ryan now moves to the number two succession spot for the presidency behind the vice president, a position he sought in 2012 as Mitt Romney’s running mate.

Previously the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Ryan has served in the chamber since 1999. He is the architect of conservative budget plans that sought to rein in federal spending in part by cutting federal retirement and health insurance plans.

As the 54th speaker, Ryan‘s first challenge will be to avoid a government shutdown on Dec. 11 when funds for an array of federal agencies expire.

Boehner, in emotional farewell speech before the vote, said: “I leave with no regrets or burdens.”

Hard line conservatives, who challenged Boehner’s leadership over the past five years by pressing for quicker progress in shrinking government and tackling social issues, listened from their seats.

In what could be a direct warning to those lawmakers, Boehner advised: “Real change takes time. Yes, freedom makes all things possible, but patience is what makes all things real. So believe in the long, slow struggle.”