This post has been corrected.
Following a period of turmoil and uncertainty in the Republican party’s ranks, Wisconsin representative Paul Ryan has secured enough votes from his party colleagues to become the 62nd speaker of the House of Representatives, making him the third-ranking US politician behind president Barack Obama and vice-president Joe Biden.
Ryan said during a press conference that his nomination “begins a new day in the House of Representatives.” He added: “We are not going to have a House that looks like it’s looked the last few years.”
Ryan takes the position after his predecessor, John Boehner, was pushed out by the most conservative members of the Republican Party. Ryan refused repeated pleas to assume the speakership, but ultimately agreed to take on the post.
Ryan, 45, will be the youngest speaker since 1869. In a speech later today, he will speak of a need to unify the fractious Republican party, according to prepared remarks.
An earlier version of this post incorrectly listed John Boehner as vice president rather than Joe Biden due an editing error.