WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican congressman Paul Ryan is likely to become the next speaker of the House. He’s already an unlikely spokesman for balancing family life with work.
The 45-year-old Ryan made clear this week that he will step up only on several conditions. One of them: Reducing the travel time and fundraising associated with the job of speaker so that he can spend weekends at home in Janesville, Wisconsin, with his wife, Janna, and three school-age kids.
Ryan’s comments made him the rare Republican — and man — to spotlight the difficulties of balancing the demands of work life and family in an increasingly fast-paced world.
Not everyone was pleased with the idea. It met with resistance from some conservatives, who said being speaker requires total commitment.
