WASHINGTON -- Minnesota Republicans parted ways on the two-year budget deal on Wednesday, but all voted to support Rep. Paul Ryan as the next Speaker of the House.
Ryan will likely be formally elected House Speaker Thursday. In a closed GOP caucus, Reps. John Kline, Tom Emmer and Erik Paulsen all say they supported Ryan for speaker.
"Paul Ryan's keen intellect, big heart, and small ego will serve him well as he leads the House," Paulsen said, in a statement.
"I am pleased we voted for him to be our next Speaker. His leadership is needed as we tackle the serious challenges ahead and lay the groundwork for a stronger economy and a brighter future for all Americans," Kline said, in a statement.
On the budget deal, Republican Rep. John Kline joined GOP leadership and most of the Democrats in supporting a two-year funding package that will increase federal spending by about $80 billion and extend the nation's borrowing limit through March 2017, when a new Congress and president are here.
Republican Reps. Erik Paulsen and Tom Emmer voted against it.
