Moments after the gavel was handed over Thursday morning, new House Speaker Paul Ryan delivered his first address to Congress and called for the restoration of order. "Let's be frank," Ryan said, after bidding a final goodbye to retiring House Speaker John Boehner. "We're not solving problems. We're adding to them."
Rather than "settling scores" and "laying blame" to solve those problems, Ryan said that, under his speakership, the House will instead be "wiping the slate clean." "A lot is on our shoulders," Ryan said, admitting that he never thought he'd be speaker. "Let's all pray for each other — Republicans for Democrats and Democrats for Republicans. And I don't mean pray for a conversion. Pray for a deeper understanding. Because when you're up here you see it so clearly. Wherever you come from, whatever you believe, we are all in the same boat."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Kamala Harris' 'pragmatic' plan for the economyThe Explainer Tax credits for manufacturing, small businesses, affordable housing
-
TV to watch in October, from 'Disclaimer' and 'The Franchise'The Week Recommends An HBO comedy from the 'Veep' creator, a mystery from master filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón and a reboot of an '80s classic
-
Is death a thing of the past?Under The Radar Scientists discover multicellular life forms emerging from the cells of dead organisms, raising profound ethical questions
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopicsSpeed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 GrammysSpeed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
