House Speaker Paul Ryan has become a one-man defensive line for the embattled House GOP, tirelessly hitting the campaign trail to raise millions and pitch the Team Ryan agenda.
In just the last month, he has been to 20 cities in 13 states and hosted 50 events, mostly with House Republicans.
President Bush and Speaker Ryan show their support by visiting some wounded veterans to thank them for their service. Tonight at 6. pic.twitter.com/owNoPNZil3
— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) June 5, 2017
And in that time, according to officials, he has hauled in millions of dollars for his reelection campaign and Team Ryan, which also includes the National Republican Congressional Committee and his Prosperity Action PAC.
Most has gone to help his team. Officials said late Monday that Ryan is transferring $2 million to the NRCC, adding to the $20 million he already handed over this year, a record by a mile. The $22 million broke his previous record of $16 million transferred.
He has also cut checks to over 160 House Republicans. The $1.5 million came from Prosperity Action and his own reelection fund.
Since the House passed health care reform a month ago, Ryan has been traveling the country ceaselessly, though making sure to be home on weekends with his family. He has also lead the House effort to push through elements of the Trump agenda and talks to the president several times a day.
Great time seeing everyone and a big thanks for the support of @PRyan. Let’s keep up the momentum & win the Sixth! #gapol pic.twitter.com/2H4tKviIJe
— Karen Handel (@karenhandel) May 15, 2017
An official said, “In the few weeks since the House passage of the American Health Care Act, Ryan has kept up a torrential pace politically. He’s been to 20 cities, in 13 different states — Arkansas, Indiana, Wisconsin, New York, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Connecticut, Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee — and held nearly 50 events. The vast majority with House GOP delegation members.”
?Great day bass fishing! ? pic.twitter.com/Mmy7D5DZ69
— Paul Ryan (@PRyan) May 28, 2017
Said a friend, “He is carrying much of the weight for the House Republican Conference.”
And it continues even this week when he is to attend an NRCC inner with Vice President Mike Pence and appear as a special guest for receptions in events for three House members and one challenging a Democrat. Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
