House Republicans have chosen Steve Scalise as their nominee for speaker, in a closely contested vote that saw him secured 113 votes to Jim Jordan’s 99. The outcome is uncertain, with Scalise requiring the support of a majority of House Republicans to become the next speaker. Despite the challenges ahead, Scalise emphasized the need for the House to get back to work, citing the need to pass spending bills before current funding runs out on November 17th. The nomination marks a decisive turning point in the House Republican leadership struggle, and Scalise will face a daunting task in winning over his colleagues and securing the speaker’s office.
Scalise’s nomination comes as Republicans are under pressure to quickly resolve their leadership struggle, which has prevented the House from addressing key issues. The US House of Representatives is currently without a speaker, and the lack of leadership has prevented the chamber from moving forward on key legislation. Scalise’s experience as the current number two on the Republican leadership ladder makes him a strong contender for the speaker’s office. Representative Kat Cammack predicted a “bloodbath” on the House floor, while Scalise and Jordan both committed to backing the candidate chosen as nominee.
Steve Scalise (Via Steve Scalise/Twitter)
The Republican leadership struggle has been marked by infighting and a lack of confidence in the ability of politicians to put aside partisan differences. According to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, 64 per cent of Americans do not believe that Washington politicians can put aside their disagreements for the good of the nation. Despite this, Scalise is determined to fill the leadership vacuum and get the House back to work on pressing issues such as the war in Israel, aid to Ukraine, and spending bills.
The vote is expected to take place at 3pm ET, with Scalise drawing support from many veteran and establishment Republican lawmakers. While the outcome is far from certain, Scalise’s nomination marks a significant step forward in the House Republican leadership struggle. With the full House vote expected to take place soon, Scalise will need to win over his colleagues to secure the top leadership position and guide the House through the challenges ahead.
