Two prominent Wisconsin Republicans—House Speaker Paul Ryan and Gov. Scott Walker—touted Donald Trump’s presidential victory as a triumph for conservatism Wednesday.
Both had been critical of Trump before, but campaigned with him in the last days of the election and appear ready to fall in line behind the president-elect.
Ryan held a press conference in Janesville and congratulated Trump, as well as fellow Wisconsinites Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.
Describing the result as “the most incredible political feat [he had] seen in [his] lifetime,” Ryan was excited about what the Republicans could accomplish now that they hold both houses of Congress and the presidency
“Donald Trump will lead a unified Republican government. And we will work hand-in-hand on a positive agenda to tackle this country’s big challenges,” Ryan said.
Ryan spoke with confidence about the prospect of having a bill repealing the Affordable Care Act signed by Trump.
“This Congress, this House majority, this Senate majority has already demonstrated and proven we’re able to pass that legislation and put it on the president’s desk. The problem is President Obama vetoed it. Now, we have President Trump coming who is asking us to do this,” he said.
Walker discussed several aspects of a Trump presidency in an interview with radio host Charlie Sykes.
"I firmly believe that he wants to work—he wants to get things done," he said of Trump
He expressed a desire to do away with the filibuster in the Senate, a tactic Republicans used extensively when the chamber was controlled by Democrats during Obama’s presidency.
"He wants to be able to say we won and that the best way to do that is to allow Paul [Ryan] to help lead the way in the House. I think the Senate, people like Ron Johnson for sure, Ron wants to help Paul in that regard. My biggest is concern that they will not allow, some of these arcane rules that have nothing to with the Constitution,” Walker said.
Reiterating a promise that he would serve the entirety of his term if re-elected governor, Walker also ruled out the prospect of accepting a cabinet position if offered.
