Wisconsin’s Paul Ryan Nominated for House Speaker

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans embraced a new leader Wednesday and prepared to get behind a crisis-averting budget-and-debt deal in a day of dramatic fresh starts at the Capitol after years of division and disarray.

Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, the 2012 GOP vice presidential candidate and a telegenic spokesman for conservative priorities, was nominated by his colleagues in a secret-ballot election to serve as speaker of the House, second in line to the presidency. The full House will confirm that choice on Thursday.

"This begins a new day in the House of Representatives," Ryan, 45, said after the vote. "We are turning the page."

Immediately after choosing Ryan to chart a new course for their fractured party, Republicans trooped onto the House floor to begin casting votes on a huge two-year budget deal struck in recent days between President Barack Obama and congressional leaders of both parties.