Republican congressman Paul Ryan says he’s keeping his options open about a prospective run for president but won’t be looking at the 2016 contest in earnest until after Congress breaks for the year.

Ryan was the GOP’s vice presidential nominee in 2012.

The Wisconsin Republican returned to New Hampshire on Tuesday for the first time since he and presidential nominee Mitt Romney lost the campaign to Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Ryan says he’s focusing these days on his job as House Budget Committee chairman.

The comments came during a brief visit to Manchester, N.H., to headline a fundraiser for a former House Republican colleague.

Ryan does offer harsh words for what he calls a “lawless” Obama administration, and praises the tea party’s influence on the Republican Party.

(AP)