On the first weekend since taking the reins from John Boehner of Ohio, the Wisconsin Republican said on NBC News' "Meet the Press" Sunday that he will offer a clear agenda on the economy, health care and foreign policy. On CNN's "State of the Union," Ryan also suggested that hard-line Republicans must wait to try to defund Planned Parenthood until after Congress passes a new government spending bill in December.

Ryan inherits a Republican conference that's divided over whether to cooperate with Obama and Democrats in Congress to forge agreements -- such as the two-year budget deal passed Oct. 28 by the House -- or instead use their power over the nation's purse to try to force policy concessions from the president.