Wisc. Congressman Paul Ryan Accepts Republican Nomination for House Speaker

After receiving the Republican nomination for Speaker of the House of Representatives this week, Wisc. Congressman Paul Ryan said he believes the U.S. is "headed in the wrong direction."

Ryan spoke from the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, suggesting that his nomination as speaker for the Republican-controlled House signifies a "new day in the House of Representatives."

"We believe that the country's on the wrong track. We think the country's headed in the wrong direction, and we have an obligation here in the people's House to do the people's business, to give this country a better way forward, to give this country an alternative," the congressman said.

Ryan's nomination comes after Rep. John Boehner made the surprise announcement that he would be stepping down from his position as the House Speaker earlier this year.

At the time, an aid for Boehner said that the representative had chosen to step down because he "believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution."

"He is proud of what this majority has accomplished, and his speakership, but for the good of the Republican Conference and the institution, he will resign the speakership and his seat in Congress, effective Oct. 30," the aide added.

California GOP Rep. Devin Nunes told CNN on Wednesday that "Ryan is a really a thought leader for the Republican Party. We've been operating under his blueprints and he's one of the best communicators that we've had -- equal or even greater to Newt Gingrich."