In a surprising turn of events, House Speaker-designate Steve Scalise, R-La., is facing significant challenges in his bid to secure the speakership. Despite winning the GOP conference nod behind closed doors on a secret ballot, rank-and-file Republicans have shown resistance to electing Scalise as speaker. Senior House leadership sources expressed shock and dismay at the lack of support for Scalise.
Scalise has been working tirelessly to gain the support of fellow Republicans, but there is still a long way to go. The fight for the speakership could take days, although there is a possibility of a floor vote as early as Thursday. It remains uncertain whether Scalise will be able to rally enough support to secure the position.
It was initially believed that Scalise could command as many as 150 ballots, but even an endorsement from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, did little to boost his prospects. This lack of enthusiasm among House Republicans for both Scalise and Jordan highlights the absence of a unifying figure like former House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Scalise’s current support of 113 ballots is not enough to secure the speakership. Interestingly, his support came from three non-voting delegates to Congress who are part of the Republican Conference but cannot vote on the floor. This fact has caused frustration among House Republicans, as Scalise’s victory relied on the support of delegates who lack full voting rights.
Furthermore, there is more opposition to Scalise’s speakership than there was to his predecessor, Rep. Kevin McCarthy. This puts the House in a precarious position, with potential stasis for days unless Scalise can quickly garner more support.
Unfortunately for those opposed to Scalise, there is no way to reverse the speaker vote in the conference. The parliamentary hurdles within the conference make it mathematically unrealistic to undo Scalise’s designation as speaker.
In light of these challenges, some Republicans are exploring alternative options. One possibility is to empower House Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., with temporary powers until mid-November. This would allow the House to continue functioning and potentially prevent a government shutdown while buying the GOP more time to elect a new speaker. Another option being considered is resurrecting McCarthy, although the details of how that would be accomplished remain unclear.
The uncertainty surrounding the House Speaker race highlights the division and lack of consensus among House Republicans. Without a unifying figure like Paul Ryan, the path to electing a new speaker becomes increasingly arduous. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Scalise can overcome these challenges and secure the speakership.
Chad Pergram, FOX News senior congressional correspondent, contributed to this report.
