Paul Ryan

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Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, speaks with reporters as he leaves a news conference with House Republicans at the Capitol on Thursday. The government shutdown has moved things back into the wheelhouse of Mr. Ryan. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Rep. Paul Ryan wrote an op-ed proposing to couple an increase in the government's debt ceiling with "common-sense reforms of the country's entitlement programs and tax code," but grass-roots activists said he failed to mention Obamacare. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) speaks with reporters as he leaves a press conference with House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, October 10, 2013. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), left, arrives for a press conference with fellow House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, October 10, 2013. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) speaks with reporters as he leaves a press conference with House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, October 10, 2013. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), second from right, arrives for a press conference with fellow House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, October 10, 2013. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), center, arrives for a press conference with fellow House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, October 10, 2013. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), second from right, listens as House Speaker John Boehner, (R-Ohio) speaks at a press conference with House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, October 10, 2013. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), left, arrives for a press conference with fellow House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, October 10, 2013. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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**FILE** Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin Republican and GOP vice presidential candidate, speaks Sept. 21, 2012, at the AARP convention in New Orleans. (Associated Press)