Senate Republicans fret over Ryan retirement decision
BY ALEXANDER BOLTON - 04/12/18 06:00 AM EDT
Senate Republicans are concerned that Speaker Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) decision to leave Congress will make it tougher to get things done this year and fear a protracted leadership race in the House could suck up a lot of time and attention.
Senators see Ryan as a reliable partner in checking President Trump when he diverges from where most Republicans stand, such as on tariffs.
In recent weeks, Ryan has joined Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in criticizing the impact of tariffs on trade and the economy and in waving the president off from contemplating the firing of special counsel Robert Mueller.On big-picture policy questions, Ryan and McConnell have been in lockstep in efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare, reform the tax code and boost military spending by $165 billion over two years.
“Everything we do is coordinated between Sen. McConnell and Senate leadership with the House leadership and obviously the Speaker,” said Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn (Texas), who described the relationship with Ryan as “very close.”
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http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/382772-senate-republicans-fret-over-ryan-retirement-decision
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