Staff Reports
House Republicans will gather for a secretive meeting on Wednesday morning in an attempt to select a new Speaker of the House. This new Speaker will face the monumental challenge of leading a diverse coalition that is determined to prove its ability to govern, especially after the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The urgency to choose a leader is heightened by a private briefing on Israel’s struggle against Hamas, which calls for Congress to allocate funds to support our ally. Without a strong leader, the House has been paralyzed and unable to pass any significant legislation.
Representative Kat Cammack candidly admitted that just a few days ago, she thought it would take a month to select a new Speaker. The leading contenders for the role are Representative Jim Jordan, known for his staunch conservatism and leading the investigation into Hunter Biden, and Representative Steve Scalise, who served as McCarthy’s trusted deputy and has shown resilience in overcoming personal adversity, surviving a shooting by a left-wing gunman. However, the battle to determine the party’s direction may not reach a resolution today as internal divisions persist.
The chaotic state of the GOP caucus is evident. One Capitol Hill reporter described them as “discombobulated, rudderless, and confused.” They promised to pass bills using regular order but instead find themselves entangled in the process of replacing their Speaker. This turmoil is so extreme that they are even rewriting their own rules for the Speaker election, despite criticizing states for modifying rules during the 2020 elections. To add to the disarray, elected officials are prohibited from bringing their cell phones into party meetings, implying a lack of trust among the members. All the while, the deadline for funding the federal government looms just two weeks away.
In an hour and a half, House Republicans will head to 1100 Longworth to elect a speaker.
I've never seen the House Republican Conference so discombobulated, rudderless and confused in my time covering Congress.
They said they'd spend the fall passing bills using regular order,…
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 11, 2023
In order to determine the new Speaker, current House rules require only a majority of the governing party to make the choice. However, more than 100 members are advocating for a change that would involve half of Congress, or 217 members, in the decision-making process. This change is unlikely to occur, as Democrats are expected to unanimously oppose any GOP nominee. Additionally, the GOP caucus only holds a slim five-seat majority in the chamber. Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick, Chip Roy, and Ken Buck are among those pushing for a rule change, recognizing the need for a more inclusive decision-making process.
While former Speaker McCarthy and former President Donald Trump have expressed their willingness to serve in the role should the occasion arise, it is highly improbable that either of them will be selected today. The former president has endorsed Representative Jordan, who is viewed as the more conservative choice. Ultimately, the battle for the Speaker position highlights the internal struggles and long road ahead for the GOP in their quest to regain control and advance their conservative agenda.
