U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement after Speaker Paul Ryan announced he will retire at the end of his term:

“I first met Paul Ryan in the House gym, where we used to work out together in my first term. Although he and I rarely agree on political issues, he is a decent guy who’s dedicated to his family and his country.

When Paul became Speaker, I hoped he’d be unafraid to stand up to extremism, whether within his own party or later from the Trump Administration. That hasn’t happened yet, but now that Paul Ryan is unburdened by political concerns, I hope that he will try harder to work across the aisle on taxes, DACA, our national debt, the Mueller investigation and gun safety, and that he’ll stand up to Donald Trump when he surely knows that Trump is wrong.

I’ve been disappointed, but hold out hope and urge him now, unburdened by politics, to do the right thing in his remaining months. He would certainly have my support.

I wish Paul and his family the very best in his life after the House of Representatives.”