Budget hurdle cleared, Ryan reflects on transition to speakership

This fall, the Republican Party was torn apart by House Speaker John Boehner's abrupt resignation. Questions swirled about who could tame the rambunctious House GOP conference and whether it was even capable of governing.

But a few weeks later, Congress wrapped up the year by easily passing a $1.8 trillion funding bill that avoids a shutdown and extends dozens of popular tax breaks, a big win for GOP lawmakers who leave Washington for t