WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Speaker Paul Ryan's Republican colleagues believe him when he says he's retiring from Congress to spend more time with his family.
"Anybody who wants to criticize him for leaving and think there's some ulterior motive to it, that's just not the case. They just don't know Paul," Rep. Tom Reed, R-NY-23, said.
Ryan will leave behind him a legacy of overhauling the federal tax code. Reed and Rep. Chris Collins, R-NY-27, said it's a significant one.
"Mine is not a wealthy district at all and this tax reform was very meaningful to middle class Americans who have seen their taxes go down but also company after company announcing bonuses and improved benefit plans and the like," Collins said.
During his tenure, Ryan has also been known for traveling the country to fundraise for House Republicans. In 2016, he appeared at events throughout New York, including ones with Reed and Collins. Reed said others will pick up the slack as needed.
"John Boehner has campaigned for us. He's coming through the district again this summer. Paul Ryan's been there. [House Majority Leader] Kevin McCarthy's been there. [House Whip] Steve Scalise has been there for us. You know, these are all people that recognize this is a team effort,” said Reed.
The GOP said the first priority is maintaining control of the House of Representatives this fall. Then they'll turn attention to Ryan's replacement.
"I'm good friends with the two leading candidates, if you will, Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise. I could easily support either one," Collins said.
Reed meanwhile said he prefers to stay out of those internal politics altogether. Both congressmen downplayed their own leadership aspirations.
"If opportunities present themselves, whatever those are, we'll consider them but at the end of the day, this is not about putting my hat in the ring or about me personally," Reed said.
Collins said he prefers to focus on his role on the Energy and Commerce Committee where he'd someday like to pursue a chairmanship or vice chairmanship.