New House Speaker Paul Ryan is trying to 'detoxify' John Boehner's smelly old office


The House speakership undeniably comes with its share of cons, but one in particular is already irking Paul Ryan as he moves into the suite his predecessor, John Boehner, left behind: the smoke.
"You know when you ever go to a hotel room or get a rental car that has been smoked in? That's what this smells like," Ryan told NBC on Sunday. Because a true deep cleaning of the room would raise a steep charge for taxpayers, The New York Times reports that Ryan will likely use an "ozone machine" to "detoxify the environment." He does happen to sleep in there fairly often, after all.
Ryan isn't the first to complain about Boehner's odors. Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who lost the speakership in 2010, was forced to move into Boehner's former office when she handed him the gavel, and experienced a similar disgust as Ryan. "We are all paying the price for Speaker Boehner's smoking," a spokesperson for Pelosi said.
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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