Paul Ryan Sworn in as House Speaker: "Let's pray for each other—Republicans for Democrats, and Democrats for Republicans

Caitlin Burke : Oct 29, 2015
CBN News

"...This begins a new day in the House of Representatives."

(Washington, DC)—[CBN News] The House of Representatives welcomed a new leader Thursday as Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI,officially became the 62nd speaker of the House Thursday. (Screengrab via ABC News)

At 45, the Kentucky congressman is the youngest person to fill the position in 150 years. He's now tasked with the job of unifying the Republican Party.

"The House is broken," Ryan said in his first remarks to the chamber. "We are not settling scores. We are wiping the slate clean."

Ryan won 80 percent of the vote in Wednesday's closed-door party ballot, clearing the way forThursday's full House vote.

"...This begins a new day in the House of Representatives," Ryan said as he thanked fellow Republicans and promised the House will look different under his leadership.

"We are turning the page," Ryan said. "We are not going to have a House that looks like it's looked the last few years. We are going to move forward; we are going to unify. Our party lost its vision, and we are going to replace it with a vision."

Ryan's nomination came just before the House approved a controversial fiscal deal that raises the nation's debt ceiling through March 2017, keeping the government from defaulting on its loans.

The new speaker surprised some conservatives by supporting the measure, saying the agreement will help "wipe the slate clean."

The focus now shifts to the Senate.

Republican leaders say they're confident they can push the measure through to the president, but Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, has promised to filibuster the legislation.