Congressman Randy Neugebauer Voices His Support for Paul Ryan as VEEP Nominee

A day after Minnesota's Paul Ryan was selected as Mitt Romney's running mate, Congressman Randy Neugebauer released a statement in support of Ryan this evening.

"I am proud and excited that Mitt Romney has chosen my friend and colleague, Congressman Paul Ryan, as his running mate. Paul is an exceptionally gifted legislator who understands better than almost anyone just how deep America's fiscal crisis runs. More importantly, as House Budget Committee Chairman, Paul Ryan was the architect of a plan, known as the Path to Prosperity, which laid out a real pathway to getting our nation's spending under control. This plan would lead to an environment favorable to small businesses and job creation - putting Americans back to work. This choice by Governor Romney signals that he is ready and willing to make the tough choices that will need to be made to get our financial house in order and America back on track.

"I have known Paul for many years and he is a family man who shares our conservative values. I look forward to doing everything I can to help Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan become our next President and Vice President of the United States."

After campaigning with Romney over the weekend, Ryan is expected to strike out on his own this week as the GOP ticket ramps up their rhetoric against President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

National reaction to the pick of Ryan as VP has been positive, including David Gergen of CNN, "the Ryan pick is an opportunity for the Romney campaign to go on the offense."

Congressman Neugebauer will further discuss Jim Ryan, Monday morning at 7:35a on Lubbock's First News.