Paul Ryan elected as the new Speaker of the US House of Representatives

Ryan defeated Florida Congressman Daniel Webster yesterday in a closed-door election of the House Republican Conference

Former vice presidential candidate and Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan was elected as the new Speaker of the US House of Representatives which is similar to Lok Sabha of the Indian Parliament.

Ryan, 45, defeated Florida Congressman Daniel Webster yesterday in a closed-door election of the House Republican Conference.

He would replace John Bohner as the Speaker today when the full House is expected to ratify him to this top Congressional position.

"The selection of Paul Ryan as our next Speaker marks an important step toward unifying our Conference," House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said.

"I know firsthand the energy and determination that he brings to every endeavor he takes on. He has worked tirelessly to help build our majority, shape our principles, and articulate our vision," McCarthy said.

He was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1999. He has been in the Congress for 17 years now, during which he has held several top positions in the Congress.

Ryan was the running mate of the Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012. In 2008 he voted in favor of the India US Civil Nuclear deal. He visited India in 2006 as part of a Congressional delegation led by the then Speaker of House of Representative. He termed the trip as an "eye opener". He had also termed India as a rising democratic power in the world.

"I think every member of Congress should go to India to see for themselves the kind of global challenges and opportunities that face us as India emerges. It was a real eye-opener," Ryan said after he returned from India in April 2006.

Ryan was among the first US lawmakers to express condolences after the shooting in a Wisconsin Gurdwara in 2012.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone in Oak Creek who has been impacted by this tragic act of violence," he had said after the incident.

Deeply saddened by the malicious crime, Ryan said: "As additional details are gathered, I am hopeful that we will all come together, united in a shared desire for peace and justice, and stand with the Sikh community as we grieve this loss of life.