Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has withdrawn his name from the speaker race after failing to secure enough votes, causing a standstill in the House as Republicans now search for a new candidate. Scalise, R-La., had been struggling for days to gain support among Republicans after winning the initial GOP nomination. However, he ultimately bowed out of the race on Thursday, leaving the House GOP to convene on Friday to discuss conference rules and hopefully reach a consensus on the next speaker candidate.
Although it remains uncertain how long this process will take, some members of the conference, such as freshman Rep. Max Miller of Ohio, suggest that it might extend into the weekend. Miller expressed hope that a new speaker would be found soon, with the goal of securing 217 votes by the end of the weekend. Negotiations and discussions continued behind closed doors on Thursday, even after a bipartisan prayer vigil was held for the victims of Hamas’ recent attack on Israel.
House Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is seen as a likely nominee for the position of speaker, having been Scalise’s rival in the race. However, Jordan may face challenges in obtaining the necessary 217 votes from Republicans, as the conference appears to be divided on his potential candidacy. Some GOP lawmakers have voiced their support for Jordan, including Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., who previously backed Scalise but is now willing to support Jordan in order to move the process forward and focus on the business of the American people.
Despite the ongoing individual efforts of Scalise to gain support, it is clear that there is still a long way to go in this battle. The fight for a new speaker could potentially take days, and there is currently no clear nominee in sight for the House GOP. The absence of a figure like former House Speaker Paul Ryan, who successfully salvaged Republicans after John Boehner’s unexpected resignation in 2015, adds to the uncertainty surrounding this situation.
It remains to be seen when the House will hold a vote to determine the new speaker, as the Republicans continue their search for a candidate who can rally enough support within their ranks. As this process unfolds, it is crucial for the party to find a leader who can unite their members and effectively address the pressing issues facing the country.
