In a surprising turn of events, Republicans have officially nominated Steve Scalise as their choice for the next House Speaker, sparking a revolt within the party. However, Scalise’s nomination is already facing opposition from a number of Republican members, putting his chances of securing the post in jeopardy.
Scalise narrowly clinched the nomination in a private vote among House GOP Conference members, with a final tally of 113-99, making him the top contender to succeed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The nomination follows McCarthy’s controversial deal with Democrats to pass a short-term funding bill, which angered House conservatives and led to Representative Matt Gaetz’s motion to remove McCarthy as Speaker, gaining the support of eight Republicans and Democrats.
Scalise’s victory in the nomination contest pitted him against Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, a favorite among MAGA Republicans. Now, Scalise faces the challenging task of uniting the divided Republican Conference to secure enough support for the upcoming speaker election, expected in the coming days.
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However, several Republicans have already expressed their intent not to vote for Scalise. This poses a significant hurdle for Scalise, as he can only afford a few defections due to the slim Republican majority in the House.
As it stands, Republicans hold 221 seats, while Democrats have 212, with two seats remaining vacant. This means Scalise can lose just four GOP votes on the House floor and still emerge victorious.
Representative Lauren Boebert, a MAGA Republican from Colorado, has openly declared her support for Jordan, stating, “I will be voting for Jim Jordan to be Speaker of the House on the floor when the vote is called.” She highlighted the lack of unity within the party during the nomination process and called for genuine leadership change, rather than a continuation of the status quo.
Other conservative Republicans, including Representative Max Miller of Ohio, have also expressed their preference for Jordan over Scalise. Their sentiments are indicative of a growing division within the party’s ranks.
Scalise’s prospects are further complicated by the skepticism of Representative Bob Good of Virginia, who doubts Scalise’s ability to bring about the necessary change in Congress. Meanwhile, House Freedom Caucus member Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Representative Carlos Gimenez, a centrist Republican from Florida, have signaled their intent to back alternative candidates.
Representative Ken Buck of Colorado has taken a unique stance, refusing to endorse either Scalise or Jordan due to their unwillingness to clarify their stance on President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
While some MAGA Republicans are throwing their support behind Scalise, the overall climate within the Republican Party appears to be one of growing disunity and uncertainty.
The upcoming speaker election will undoubtedly be a pivotal moment for the GOP, as they grapple with internal divisions and work towards selecting their leader for the House. Steve Scalise’s ability to navigate these challenges and secure the speakership remains uncertain as the party faces a critical crossroads.
