House Republicans nominated Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) to replace Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as the next House speaker in a closed-door meeting Wednesday—as the vacancy threatens to hamstring Congress’ ability to pass consequential legislation, including more aid for Israel and a new budget to avert a government shutdown.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., R-Texas, is seen in the Capitol Visitor Center on ... [+]
Scalise won the nomination in a 113-99 vote of the GOP conference, defeating Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) according to multiple reports.
The nomination is the first step in filling the vacancy—the winning candidate will need to secure votes from the majority of the House in a formal election expected to take place sometime this week.
The House is scrambling to replace McCarthy ahead of a looming November 17 deadline to pass a new budget to avert a government shutdown and as President Joe Biden is expected to ask Congress to approve additional aid for Israel.
McCarthy became the first speaker in U.S. history to be removed by his colleagues last week when eight Republicans joined all 208 voting Democrats to eject him in a far-right revolt led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). The move prompted intense backlash against the eight defectors from McCarthy’s supporters and some calls to reinstate the former speaker. McCarthy said in a press conference immediately after his ouster that he would not run for the position again, but changed his stance earlier this week and publicly expressed openness to regaining his role. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) was appointed speaker pro tempore, but he has limited power, raising concerns that the House can not pass legislation without a speaker in place to bring bills to the floor.
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