Chaffetz: Ryan 'Checks Every Box' for Speaker

Though Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz is still running for House speaker, he says he'd drop out if Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan runs.

"I think he checks every box," Chaffetz said Sunday on ABC's "This Week"  "He's got the great experience, he's a visionary, he understands the institution, he's a great spokesperson."

GOP leaders have been leaning on Ryan to run ever since front-runner Kevin McCarthy, the House majority leader, dropped out unexpectedly on Thursday.

But Ryan, who still has small children, has indicated he doesn't want to take the time away from his family that the job requires.

"I would hope that Paul Ryan would do it. He has said repeatedly that he won't," Chaffetz said. "I do think there are other people that are better qualified, but I do think I'd bridge that gap. … If there's somebody better who can unite us I'll support them."

He said he wouldn't need to cut a deal with the 40 members of the Freedom Caucus who are sticking with their support of Florida Rep. Daniel Webster for speaker. Instead, Chaffetz said, he would unite the party by focusing on fixing internal rules, especially by getting bills moved more quickly through committee.

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