Following today's announcement that U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan will not run for re-election, Heritage Foundation President Kay Coles James released the following statement:

"My long-time friend Paul Ryan has well served the American people, and we at the Heritage Foundation thank him for all he has accomplished. Speaker Ryan took on what many consider to be one of the toughest jobs in Washington and did so with grace and dignity. While we will miss Speaker Ryan in the office he is leaving, I know him well enough to know when he says “family first” he means it! His love for his family is just as strong as his love for America. We all know he is not done yet, that even greater things lie ahead, and that we will do many of them together for our nation. All our best wishes to the Speaker and his family. Godspeed, Mr. Speaker!"