Ryan has been speaker of the house of representatives since 2015
American media reported that the speaker of the House of representatives Paul Ryan will not run for the November midterm elections to Congress.
Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, has been a speaker since 2015, and a Member of the house of representatives since 1999.
The news of Ryan's decision raised questions about the ability of Republicans to retain Control of the house of representatives following the November election.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Ryan announced that he intended to retire at the end of the current Congress in January next year, because he wants to spend more time with his family.
"I have dedicated this work all that I have, and I do not regret that took on this responsibility,' said Ryan to reporters. "But, in truth, this work can easily take precedence over all other spheres of life."
According to Ryan, after 20 years in Congress, he wants to spend more time with his wife and three teenage children.
"If I stay for another term, my children will remember me only as a Sunday Pope. I just can't let that happen," he explained.
Ryan's departure is likely to lead to a fierce struggle for the post of speaker. Among the key contenders are reportedly Kevin McCarthy (California) and Secretary of the majority party in the Steve Scalise (Louisiana) house of representatives.
At the same time, Ryan denied the suggestion that his departure could affect the attempts of the Republicans to retain a majority in the house of representatives.
"I do not believe that my decision to leave or stay in 2019 will affect the results of specific people in the election race," he said.
President trump, with whom Ryan often had tense relations, made a praise of the speaker in his "Twitter".
"Speaker Paul Ryan is a really good person, and although he will not be nominated for a new term, he will leave behind a legacy that no one can dispute. We are with you, Paul!"the President wrote on Wednesday.
Ryan noted the progress made under his leadership, such as the adoption of a large-scale tax reform, as well as the bill, which, he said, will help revive the armed forces of the country.
The speaker promised to continue working on the reform of the benefits system in the remaining time of his work in Congress.
Ryan also expressed gratitude for the fact that he had the opportunity to lead the Republican faction in the house of representatives in 2015, when he reluctantly replaced as speaker John Bainer, who resigned under pressure from the conservatives.
Friction in the ranks of the Republicans continued under Ryan: they have failed to repeal and replace the law on affordable health care, which was one of the key election promises of President trump.
Despite the difficult relationship with trump, the speaker and the White house worked together to promote a conservative agenda.
The Democrat leader in the house of representatives, Nancy Pelosi, issued a statement commending Ryan's "unwavering commitment" to the country's interests and expressing the hope that both parties would "work constructively" for the time remaining until his departure.