Rep. Paul Ryan might have to decide which job he wants more -- running the powerful House Ways and Means Committee or running for president in 2016 . House Republicans adopted a new rule that could force Ryan 's hand as he considers his future . The new provision requires any House committee chair who decides to seek higher office to turn in his or her gavel . The Wisconsin Republican is viewed one of his party 's top policymakers . Ryan currently serves as the Budget Committee chair , but is seeking support for the post as the head of the tax writing panel in 2015 , and is expected to get the nod next week . Ryan has made no secret that he views that post , which would make him the lead to craft health care changes , tax reform and other major legislation , as his dream job . The former 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee has also left the door open to a bid for the 2016 presidential ticket . Although the rule was n't directly aimed at Ryan , his name mentioned when the proposal came up for a vote inside a closed door meeting on Friday . According to one GOP source familiar with the discussion , he was present for the discussion , but there was n't any extensive debate about the change . Ryan 's office declined to comment on the new rule . Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole drafted the proposal in response to a situation that developed last year when Georgia Rep. Jack Kingston , who chaired a key Appropriations subcommittee , ran for Senate , according to two House Republican sources . Kingston presided over the panel that drafts the annual budgets for Labor and Health agencies , but failed to pass a bill through his committee because he was focused on his campaign . Kingston did n't win the GOP Senate nomination , and Cole and other members on the Appropriations committee , felt that the lack of action hurt the overall effort to put together the full series of funding bills for the year . The new rule does come with an out -- Ryan could seek a waiver from leaders if he decides to run for president but wants to retain his chairmanship . Given his close ties to House Speaker John Boehner and others , it 's likely he could get one .
Rep. Paul Ryan is pursuing the chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee . A new rule would prevent holding that job and running for president . Comment: Ryan could seek a waiver to hold to his position if he were to run .