In a recent development, House Republicans have chosen House Majority Leader Steve Scalise as their nominee for House speaker. This decision comes after the historic ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week. The vote, which took place by secret ballot, saw Scalise garnering 113 votes, while House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan received 99 votes.
However, despite the majority’s choice, the House is currently in recess, and a vote is not currently scheduled for today. While there were expectations of a vote as early as Wednesday afternoon, sources indicate that it is unlikely to happen. Some Republicans, including Reps. Chip Roy and Marjorie Taylor Greene, have also expressed their intention not to vote for Scalise.
This development follows McCarthy’s unprecedented removal from office, with eight members of his own party and all House Democrats voting against him. This marked the first time in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives that its own leader was voted out. The contest to replace McCarthy quickly narrowed down to a two-man race between Scalise and Jordan, with Scalise emerging as the preferred candidate.
Jordan, who has a close relationship with McCarthy, initially received support from top conservatives in the GOP conference, such as House Freedom Caucus Policy Chair Chip Roy. He is also a founding member and the first chairman of the House Freedom Caucus. However, in the aftermath of the vote, Jordan is now urging his supporters to back Scalise.
It is important to note that the House recessing does not necessarily mean that a vote will not take place today. However, staffers are not optimistic about the possibility. The timing of the vote is now up to Scalise. Despite the delay, Republicans are determined to find a new House speaker, considering the significance of the position.
This development will have significant implications for the Republican Party and the functioning of the House of Representatives. As the GOP majority in the lower chamber continues to navigate the aftermath of McCarthy’s removal, the choice of Scalise as their nominee for speaker sets the stage for further political maneuvering and potential shifts in power dynamics.
Elizabeth Elkind, a reporter for Digital, specializing in Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics, has covered the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content. For more information, follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to [email protected].
