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SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., was chosen Saturday as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate. Ryan is known for his strong conservative stances on economic issues and a controversial budget plan that would cut trillions in federal spending.
Who is Paul Ryan?
His career:
Ryan, 42, was first elected to Congress at the age of 28 and quickly came to be known as a budget hawk. He represents Wisconsin's 1st district and was elected to his seventh term easily in 2008, despite his district being carried by Pres. Barack Obama.
The Congressman earned a B.A. in economics and political science from Miami University in Ohio. He worked as an aide to U.S. Sen. Bob Kasten, R-Wisc.; as legislative director for Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas; and as a speechwriter for former Rep. Jack Kemp, R-N.Y.
As chairman of the House Budget Committee, Ryan in 2012 drafted The Path to Prosperity, an alternative to Obama's 2012 budget.
The Ryan plan, as it came to be known, called for controversial changes to Medicare that would turn it into a voucher-like program. It also called for a cap at $1.029 trillion on non-defense discretionary spending and for the consolidation of the six current tax brackets into two.
Since 1999, Ryan has voted with the majority Republicans 92.1 percent of the time, the majority of Democrats 44.4 percent of the time, and has missed 2 percent of the votes.
Where does he stand?
On the economy: Ryan has historically voted for legislation to keep government spending low.
For his position on key pieces of legislation throughout his career, click here.
On civil liberties: Ryan opposes abortion and supports a constitutional definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman.
For his position on key pieces of legislation throughout his career, click here.
On tax reform: Ryan has said in the past that he believes the U.S. tax system needs reform. He has also said Obama's budget is too costly.
For Ryan's position on key pieces of legislation throughout his career, click here.
On healthcare: Like many Republicans, Ryan has said the Affordable Care Act is too bulky and costly to succeed.
For his position on key pieces of legislation throughout his career, click here.
On immigration: Ryan has said in the past that he does not support amnesty for illegal immigrants.
For his position on key pieces of legislation throughout his career, click here.
