Advertisement

Speaker Paul Ryan's beard has Capitol Hill buzzing

 
Before and after the beard: U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan was clean-shaven on Nov. 17, left. On Tuesday, he was showing off his "hunting beard" that he started growing Saturday at "deer camp," according to his office. [Associated Press, left; Getty Images, right]
Before and after the beard: U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan was clean-shaven on Nov. 17, left. On Tuesday, he was showing off his "hunting beard" that he started growing Saturday at "deer camp," according to his office. [Associated Press, left; Getty Images, right]
Published Dec. 1, 2015

WASHINGTON — New House Speaker. New look: facial hair.

Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., was the bearded man at the Capitol on Monday, showing off plenty of facial hair in what his office called his "hunting beard" that he began growing Saturday at "deer camp."

The 45-year-old Ryan, seated with his arms crossed, had the beard in a photo on Twitter that posed the question, "Hey @USHouseHistory, when was the last time a Speaker of the House sported a beard?"

The answer: Speaker Joe Cannon of Illinois, a Republican who led the House from 1903-11, and Republican Frederick Gillett of Massachusetts, who led the House from 1919-25.

Ryan succeeded a beardless John Boehner, who stepped down as speaker in October.

It was unclear whether Ryan would shave or not. His office said he would keep the beard as long as his wife, Janna, lets him.