In the wake of the sudden ouster of Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) as House speaker nominee, House Republicans are gearing up to choose their new nominee. This pivotal decision comes amid a backdrop of political intrigue and heightened tensions within the party as the candidates, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R., La.) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R., Ohio), vie for the coveted leadership role. In a closed-door meeting, lawmakers will make their choice, but the outcome remains uncertain, with neither candidate having secured a clear advantage.
The selection of a new House speaker nominee is underway, with House Republicans facing a challenging decision. During a closed-door gathering that strictly forbids the use of cellphones, members will choose between Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan, who both presented their formal pitches on Tuesday night. The race has proven to be highly competitive, and as of now, no clear frontrunner has emerged. While both candidates have garnered substantial endorsements, a considerable number of lawmakers have yet to reveal their preference or have contemplated supporting the other nominee.
Once the Republican Party successfully elects its nominee, a full House vote for the speaker’s position could occur later on the same day. The current House is divided with a slim margin of 221-212, giving the GOP limited maneuvering room. In light of the leadership vacuum, one temporary solution under consideration is to elect Rep. Patrick McHenry (R., N.C.), the acting speaker pro tempore, as a full speaker pro tempore, if only for a single day. This would enable the House to proceed with legislative votes, a task currently hindered by the perceived limited authority of an acting speaker pro tempore to bring bills to the floor.
While the nominee selection process unfolds, House Republicans face several pressing questions. Among these are strategies to ensure that their chosen candidate can secure the majority required for election in the full House. Moreover, the party must address concerns about potential spending cuts following the expiration of a stopgap spending bill in mid-November. A proposed rule change aimed at mandating that the winning candidate garner 217 votes from Republicans before a floor roll-call vote is yet to be finalized, leaving room for continued debate and deliberation.
As the meeting commences, Rep. Chip Roy (R., Texas) is planning to seek a vote on a rule change that would necessitate multiple rounds of voting by House Republicans to confirm their support for the chosen candidate on the House floor until the nominee achieves the crucial 217 votes. The divide in opinions over this rule change is noticeable, with many of Jim Jordan’s allies endorsing the idea while those backing Steve Scalise remain opposed.
Central to the discussions surrounding the election of a new speaker nominee is the imperative task of uniting the Republican Party, particularly after eight Republicans joined forces with Democrats in last week’s vote to remove Kevin McCarthy. Supporters of Jim Jordan argue that he possesses the unique ability to bring dissenting voices within the party back into the fold. His background as an outsider who challenged the system, notably co-founding the House Freedom Caucus, has earned him more than 30 public endorsements. These factors contribute to the ongoing complexities surrounding the nominee selection process.
The forthcoming decision to elect a new House speaker nominee will undoubtedly have significant repercussions for the Republican Party and its future trajectory. The uncertainty and political dynamics involved in this process underscore the intricate nature of House leadership and the ongoing challenges faced by the GOP. As Republicans gather to make this critical choice, the party will navigate an intricate path forward in pursuit of unity and effective governance.
