EMMARIE HUETTEMAN

As President Barack Obama prepares for his final update on the country he has led for seven years, it seems like a good time to revisit the Americans, ordinary and well known alike, who have represented his policies from the balcony of the House chamber.

Ryan now confronts a fundamental question: Will his new post provide a platform to pursue his bold visions for a renewed America, or will those big ideas weigh him down in an era defined by confrontation and small-bore compromises?

A strong majority of anti-establishment lawmakers in the House Freedom Caucus voted Wednesday night to support Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin for House speaker, effectively delivering the Republican Party unity that he had sought as a condition for accepting the post.

Giving hope to House Republicans who have been besieged by conflict and chaos, Rep. Paul D. Ryan said Tuesday that he would be willing to serve as speaker if all the factions of his party could unite behind him.