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Candidate Profile from Congressional Quarterly
Paul Ryan (R) of Janesville
Open Seat
- Born: January 29, 1970, Janesville.
- Education: Miami U. (Ohio), B.A., 1992.
- Military Service: None.
- Occupation: Congressional aide;
economic policy analyst.
- Family: Single.
- Religion: Roman Catholic.
- Political Career: No previous
office.
- Campaign Address: Ryan for Congress, P.O. Box 1919,
Janesville, WI 53547
- Telephone: (608) 754-8099
- Fax: (608) 754-8991
- E-mail:paul@ryan98.org
- Web: www.ryan98.org
After working for three congressmen as an aide, an adviser and a speechwriter, homesickness drove 28-year-old Paul Ryan back to Wisconsin to the construction firm founded by his great-grandfather.
But now his ability, as he describes it, to "serve in the battle of ideas in Congress while living at home, representing my family, friends and where I grew up" has led him back into politics, taking over fellow conservative Mark Neumann's vacant seat.
His experience in both the House and Senate on the budget, he said, has resulted in his philosophy of "pro-growth" economics, to advocate overhauling the tax code, limiting the size of the federal government, and turning over all budget surpluses to Social Security until 2001. Ryan said he would also like to see the states assume more control of certain policies and programs, especially health care, as a way of starting off on the path to replace what he called "the welfare state."
In addition to tax reform and economic issues, Ryan said he is also interested in foreign relations ÷ but again, with a business and trade angle. He would like to see major policy changes at the International Monetary Fund and would pursue strengthening export markets for his district's agricultural products.
With regard to current agriculture legislation, Ryan said he would have to take some time and study the fine print.
When asked about the report from Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr alleging impeachable offenses committed by President Clinton, Ryan said he would have voted to extend the impeachment inquiry when the House voted to do so on Oct. 8.
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