GOP Reps. speculate Speaker Paul Ryan may step down: report

House Speaker Paul Ryan might see an end to his duties in the near future, the Hill reports, citing that his path to the 218 votes he needs looks to be an uphill battle.

According to four top House Republicans who spoke with the outlet, Ryan is expected to step down from his leadership position following next Tuesday's presidential election.

However, even with some suggesting Ryan will step down, his aides are stating otherwise. "He is running. The Speaker's only focus until Election Day is defeating Democrats and protecting our majority, and nothing else," said spokeswoman AshLee Strong.

Ryan's relationship with the Trump campaign is one issue that may be holding him back from keeping his seat as House Speaker.

In an interview with National Journal, Trump vice presidential nominee Mike Pence reportedly declined to comment on whether Ryan should remain in his post.

"My respect for Paul Ryan is boundless," Pence told the outlet, without commenting on whether he believed Ryan should remain the House Speaker. "I’m not a member of the House Republican conference anymore. I wouldn’t presume upon what the members of the conference choose."

A Pence campaign aide did, however, say of Ryan's role as Speaker, "We need strong Republican leadership in congress to enact Donald Trump's plan to make American great again," according to CNN.

The Trump campaign has been at odds with Ryan over the last few months.

One lawmaker told the Hill, "Those who talk to Paul say he is all in to stay Speaker. But if you talk to members from the South, many will struggle to vote for him — even though they like him — because their constituents are furious [over his previous attitude toward Donald Trump]."

In October, Trump went on a Twitter tirade against Ryan after the Washington Post released audio of the Republican presidential nominee bragging about sexually assaulting women.

His default argument became that the election was rigged, and Trump suggested that Ryan was in on it after the House Speaker distanced himself from Trump over his comments.

Can Paul Ryan survive the Trump effect?

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who leads the House Freedom Caucus — which has been divided in recent days on whether to support Ryan — told CNBC on Thursday, "Paul Ryan's a good man, he's a friend, but we are focused on getting Donald Trump elected and being the next president of the United States."