Ryan sets sights on Ways and Means Gavel

In an interview this week with the Wall Street Journal, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) stated that he planned to try and succeed term-limited Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) for the Ways and Means gavel in 2015. Chairman Camp must decide whether to seek a waiver to retain his chairmanship; however, there is a slim chance the House Republican Steering Committee, which selects leadership and chairmen positions, will grant his request. While Chairman Ryan became the first lawmaker on the tax-writing committee to publicly state his intentions for the top position, there are two senior members that are in the running: Reps. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), a policy wonk who has chaired multiple subcommittees, and Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) a fundraising juggernaut. Chairman Ryan's status within the Republican Party as a fiscal policy leader, former vice presidential candidate and fundraiser with name recognition gives him advantages. For more information, please contact Brian Lenihan at (202) 547-4733 or lenihanb@agc.org.