Updated 5:15 p.m. | House Ways and Means Chairman Paul D. Ryan just got an unwelcomed endorsement for speaker.  

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters Tuesday that he hopes the Wisconsin Republican is selected by his colleagues to succeed retiring Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio.  

“He appears to me to be one of the people over there that would be reasonable. I mean, look at some of the other people. I’m a Paul Ryan fan,” Reid said. “I don’t agree with him on much of what he does. I think what he’s done with Medicare and Medicaid, what he’s wanted to do I disagree with, but generally speaking I think that … we’ve been able to work with him.”  

Reid Supports Ryan for Speaker

Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., told CQ Roll Call he concurs with Reid’s assessment.  

“His agreement with Patty Murray was excellent — bipartisan compromise — and we don’t see much of that coming out of the House Republicans. So, it’s understandable that … many of us are hoping that there will be a reasonable speaker,” Durbin said.  

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., said in a brief interview Ryan is “a reliable conservative.” But that’s where she draws the line.  

“Then I make all assessments from there,” she said. “I think he eventually worked with Sen. Murray and came up with the budget deal. I think we were complimentary of the outcome and whether he’ll make a good speaker or not, we’ll have to see how that goes.”  

Matthew Fleming contributed to this report.     

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