Paul Ryan Elected Speaker of the House

With his family looking on, Paul Ryan has been elected speaker of the House, succeeding John Boehner.

Ryan was backed by most of the hardliners from within the Republican party, although a few cast votes for others -- a reminder that future tensions between the most conservative Republicans and Ryan can't be ruled out.

Also among those watching today from the visitors' gallery was Mitt Romney, whose decision in 2012 to make Ryan his running mate vaulted the Wisconsin congressman to national prominence.

Here are the voting results, as announced by outgoing Speaker John Boehner of Ohio: 236 votes for Ryan, 184 for Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California and nine votes for Republican Daniel Webster of Florida.

Democrats John Lewis of Georgia and Jim Cooper of Tennessee each received one vote, as did former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

House Speaker John Boehner says he's leaving with `no regrets and no burden.' The Ohio lawmaker raised a box of tissues moments before delivering a farewell address.
Boehner is well known for sentimental tears, especially at major events. He calls the House ``the great embodiment of the American dream.''