It was only fitting that I became the Speaker of the House on the 15th round of votes. Like the number 15, I represent change and progress.

And what do the American people want? They want to hope for change and progress. It is why they gave us, the Republicans, the majority in the House. The American people recognize that we, not the Democrats, are the party that will have them hoping for change and progress.

Look, I get it. Many of you thought I wouldn’t be here. But like I told everyone, “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Numbers go up, not down. Where did we start?! One! Not zero, but one. And what comes after one, two, and then three, four, five, and eventually 15.”

And here I stand before you, after the 15th round of votes, as the Speaker of the House ready to deliver to the American people the hope for change and progress that they want.