Paul Ryan Fast Facts

Here's a look at the life of Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan.

Personal: Birth date: January 29, 1970

Birth place: Janesville, Wisconsin

Birth name: Paul Davis Ryan

Father: Paul M. Ryan, an attorney

Mother: Elizabeth "Betty" (Hutter) Ryan Douglas

Marriage: Janna (Little) Ryan (December 2, 2000-present)

Children: Liza; Charlie; Sam

Education: Miami University (Ohio), B.A., 1992

Religion: Roman Catholic

Other Facts: Ryan's father died of a heart attack when Ryan was 16.

Double majored in economics and political science at Miami University (Ohio).

Ryan is a fitness buff and enjoys bow hunting.

In addition to being chairman of the House Budget Committee, also a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Subcommittee on Health.

Timeline: 1992 - Legislative aide to Senator Robert Kasten of Wisconsin.

1993-1995 - Staff assistant and speechwriter for the Empower America think tank, which was co-founded by Rep. Jack Kemp (R-NY).

1995-1997 - Legislative director for Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas.

November 3, 1998 - Is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 1st District of Wisconsin. Ryan is re-elected in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012.

2011-present - Chairman of the House Budget Committee.

March 29, 2012 - Ryan's 2013 budget proposal is passed by the Republican controlled House, 228-191. The budget plan is later defeated in the Senate, 57-40.

August 11, 2012 - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney announces Ryan as his choice for vice presidential running mate.

August 17, 2012 - Released tax documents show that Ryan and his wife earned $323,416 in 2011 and paid an effective tax rate of 20%.

November 6, 2012 - The Romney-Ryan ticket is defeated in the general election by the Obama-Biden ticket, but Ryan wins an eighth term representing Wisconsin's 1st District.