What Does Paul Ryan’s Retirement Mean for Democrats?
The Progressive Teen Staff Writer
On Wednesday morning, Paul Ryan announced that he would not seek re-election in 2018. Ryan has been Speaker of the House since 2015 and a representative from Wisconsin’s 1st congressional district since 1999. His decision comes as a shock, as just this week he attended a donor event in Texas. Ryan claimed that he wanted to spend more time with his children.
Following his decision, Representative Dennis Ross, a Republican from Florida, also announced his resignation. President Trump also responded, calling Ryan, “a truly good man” in a tweet on Wednesday. With Ryan’s political career coming to an end, it might be time for Democrats to evaluate his legacy.
Some cite the major tax overhaul in 2017 as Ryan’s crowning achievement, as he has been fighting for tax reform since he first entered office. Minority leader Nancy Pelosi has said that she is, “hopeful that he joins us to work constructively to advance better futures for all Americans” as his time in office comes to a close. With the 2018 midterm election coming up, Ryan’s inability to pass bipartisan legislation may hinder his party’s success. For example, according to the Pew Research Center, 74% of the public, which includes 50% of the Republican party, supports concrete legislation that allows children who were brought to the US illegal as children to remain in the country and apply for permanent legal status through DACA. In the next few months, Republicans, including Ryan, may have to cross the aisle on more than just immigration to appeal to voters that are not as polarized as Congress.
Beyond the next few months, however, both parties will need to reevaluate their actions in the House. For Republicans, Ryan’s resignation may pave the way for Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Ryan’s pick) or Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who have both eyed the job for some time. At just 48 years old, and with experience as Romney’s running mate, Ryan could also be gearing up for a presidential run. For Democrats, Ryan’s exit may provide enough momentum to make real gains in the House, potentially allowing former Speaker Pelosi to return to her position. Democrats only need 24 seats to take back the House, certainly no small feat.
While Ryan’s departure can’t predict the future of the Republican party, it certainly can signal a change in tide. Of course, there will be many battleground races. Representative Bill Huizenga of Michigan said the party knows that, “this is going to be a tough year” for Republicans, even though Rep. Huizenga’s district favored Trump in 2016 by 58%. In the months before what looks like a real opportunity for Democrats to succeed, Ryan’s exit may be an attempt to avoid the embarrassment of losing electorally. Former Representative David Jolly of Florida though that, “Ryan would not be retiring if he thought Republicans would hold the House in November.”
“Ryan would not be retiring if he thought Republicans would hold the House in November.”
As 2016 proved, attempting to call an election before it even begins can go disastrously wrong. When the GOP loses one of its most prominent members, however, after a year of losses in special elections and a nationwide resistance to Trump’s policies, it’s not impossible to read Ryan’s decision as a good sign. This is not to say that Democrats everywhere should begin celebrations— Ryan was not the keystone of the party and his departure will not crumble its infrastructure. We must continue to fight in swing districts and campaign hard against the Republicans who choose to remain in the House. All that’s left to do is keep trying — and hope more Republicans choose to remove themselves from a race they are afraid of losing.
