Ryan counts major defense spending increase among top achievements

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), who announced he will not seek reelection and retire from Congress in January 2019, counts a recent deal to increase defense spending among his top accomplishments.

"I think we have achieved a heck of a lot," he said at a press conference today. "I will be retiring in January, leaving this majority in good hands."

Ryan, who came to national prominence as a fiscally conservative lawmaker, said his two biggest achievements over two decades in office were last year's $1.4 trillion tax reform package and a recent $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill that included a deal to increase defense spending by $165 billion over two years.

He said that addressing the military "readiness crisis" was not something he focused on until becoming speaker, but counted the additional funding as a "lasting victory" for the nation.

Ryan worked with House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and other GOP defense hawks to push the defense increase through Congress, despite opposition from Tea Party conservatives and Democrats.

Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office projects that the tax legislation will drive federal deficits to historic highs.

Ryan said that the chance that Democrats might re-take the House majority in November did not play a role in his decision to retire. He also said neither the statements nor actions of President Trump were factors in his exit.

"You all know that I did not seek this job," he said. "I took it reluctantly. I have no regrets whatsoever for having accepted this responsibility."