This weekend, I wrote an op-ed for the Washington Times listing a few observations for the challenges facing Congress as we transition to a new Speaker of the House, most notably a President who has a penchant for blocking our reasonable pro-growth policies.

There is little doubt that internal strife in the House Republican Conference played a role in Speaker John Boehner's resignation. It became increasingly clear that he didn't have full support of our Conference. In moving forward, we needed a leader who could be a uniter for our party so we can get back to the basics and do what we were elected to do by advancing good conservative principles.

No one is more prepared to lead the Conference, communicate its message, determine the policy direction of a “majority of the majority party" in the House, and fight the the President's misguided policies than Paul Ryan. All but nine Republicans voted for Paul, including vocal Boehner opponents like Mark Meadows, Jim Jordan, and Mick Mulvaney. At the end of the day, there were two candidates for Speaker: Chairman Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

In addition to pursuing the policy intentions of the “majority of the majority,” a speaker needs to possess high character, perseverance, legislative talent, and raw courage. In my view, in his leadership of two committees, in representing our party as the nominee for Vice President in 2012, and in his fine reputation as a dad and a husband, Paul has clearly demonstrated he has these key attributes.

In his first weekend on the job, Paul showed his colleagues in Congress, and the millions of Americans who watched him during his morning show marathon, that he is determined to be the relentless communicator we need. For those of you who were keeping score at home, Ryan went on all five Sunday morning shows and outlined his plans for Congress, including blocking the President's harmful policies, and replacing them with intelligent alternatives that the American people can support.

At such a critical juncture in our Nation's history, I am humbled to serve our neighbors in the Second Congressional District of Arkansas. With the election of Speaker Paul Ryan we are turning the page and beginning anew. I am encouraged. As always, know that my door is open to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill