Paul Ryan: Obama's inauguration "historic"

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., spent a good part of 2012 campaigning so he would be the one standing on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol to be sworn in as vice president. Instead, he's offering President Obama congratulations on this Inauguration Day.

"I congratulate President Obama on his inauguration, and I join the country in celebrating this American tradition," Ryan wrote on his Facebook page today.

"The president and I were political opponents. We had strong disagreements over the direction of the country--as we still do now. But today, we put those disagreements aside. Today, we remember what we share in common," he continued.

Ryan is not the president's only rival to put politics aside on this day of celebration. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said on "CBS This Morning" that today is a reminder that "we are all in this together."

• House to vote on debt limit increase on Wednesday
• Cantor: Time for Washington to "set aside" differences

While today is a day of celebration, the House of Representatives is expected to quickly get back to work and vote on a temporary increase in the debt limit. The three-month extension delays the fierce debate expected between Republicans and Democrats over taxes and spending.

"We may disagree on matters of policy. But today we remember why we take those matters so seriously--because we seek the public good. It's our highest duty--one that we share--and one for which we're grateful," Ryan wrote.

"I'm happy to mark this historic occasion--for the president and for the country. And I look forward to tackling the big challenges ahead."