While the House Freedom Caucus is backing Rep. Paul Ryan for House Speaker, the influential group of conservative GOP lawmakers still has questions about how he will lead, Rep. Barry Loudermilk tells
Newsmax TV.
"There were and there still are reservations with Paul Ryan," a Georgia Republican, said Thursday on "Newsmax Prime" with Ric Blackwell.
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"Our support of Paul Ryan was diverse. There were some that still wanted to declare their independence or support [Rep.] Dan Webster, but we're not sure whether he's going to continue to run or not."
On Wednesday, the caucus announced it was supporting Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican who was Mitt Romney's 2012 running mate, for speaker, all but guaranteeing he'll get the job.
The group of around three dozen conservatives — who've have caused fits for the mainstream GOP leadership — stress their support is not an official endorsement because it couldn't muster the 80 percent agreement such an announcement would require.
Ryan originally turned down running for the position, but has since said he will if House members agree to end their divisiveness — something outgoing House Speaker John Boehner was unable to achieve.
Loudermilk said the House Freedom Caucus chose to back Ryan because the group has "always been about process more than person."
"We've got a very diverse Republican Congress, especially now that we have the largest Republican majority since the 1920s and the fact is while there's more conservatives coming in to Congress, we also have more that are from moderate districts and some that are even in Democratic districts," he said.
"While there's a conservative criteria that we would love to see in the speaker of the House, the likelihood of getting someone that we all agree with is very slim."
A vote is expected next week — and it won't be a moment too soon. Congress must raise the federal debt limit by Nov. 3 or risk a default.
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