Speaker Ryan Increasing Communications Team

Newly elected House Speaker Paul Ryan — who made it clear before his election that he didn't relish the extensive travel associated with the job — is beefing up his communications staff, reportedly building the team to include up to a dozen people.

Roll Call reports with the buildup, it appears Ryan is making good on plans for the speakership to make up for less time spent on the road with more time communicating the Republican Party's message.  

"This speakership is going to be about communicating a conservative vision and bold agenda for the American people, and I’m building a first-rate team to help me do the job," Ryan said in a statement announcing eight appointments to the staff, Roll Call reports.

Brendan Buck, who will work as Ryan's chief communications adviser in the speaker's office, is leading the new team, telling Roll Call that Ryan plans to add another two to four people to the eight-member staff.

The speaker's office will also be re-examining how each role works, Buck tells Roll Call.

Besides the communications staff appointments, Ryan said he tapped his longtime chief of staff Andy Speth as senior adviser in the speaker's office.

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