Paul Ryan 'not going anywhere' amid retirement rumors

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday dismissed rumors he plans to retire in 2018, calling the reports "speculative."

"I am not going anywhere anytime soon, and lets just leave that thing at that," Ryan told reporters after he was asked if he would run for re-election.

Ryan called the reports that he would be retiring "irresponsible." Politico first reported that Ryan was considering retirement on Thursday.

"I actually think that piece was very irresponsible," Ryan said. "It was a speculative piece and it was faulty speculation. I want to put it to rest."

Ryan made the promise to stay in Congress in a closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

Last week, the Speaker spoke of next year's plans for welfare reform -- laughing off the idea he planned to retire.

"Next year is going to be the year where we work on people," Ryan said. "Next year is the year we work on getting people where they need to get in life, in better jobs, an actual career, closing the skills gap."