Staff Reports
On Wednesday afternoon, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) secured the nomination for Speaker of the House by receiving 113 votes, edging out House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, who garnered 99 votes. However, despite this initial win, the prospects of Scalise becoming Speaker appear to be diminishing rapidly. Republicans were prepared for a vote on Wednesday, but it mysteriously did not take place, leaving them in a state of disarray.
By Thursday, rumors circulated that Scalise might be contemplating withdrawing his nomination. According to a GOP aide, there's "no way he can win a floor vote." This blunt assessment suggested that Scalise's chances might dwindle by the end of the day, creating quite the political rollercoaster.
This sentiment isn't limited to one individual; even Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) believes that Scalise's chances are slipping away. He remarked, "I can count votes, and the votes aren't there for Steve." Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) also expressed doubts, stating that she doesn't believe the matter will even reach the floor. Scalise's bid for Speaker seems to be facing considerable challenges.
Sen. Booker reacts to GOP Rep. Steve Scalise withdrawing his bid for speaker: "To have this level of dysfunction amongst the House Republicans…this is very problematic at a terrible time going on in our world right now." pic.twitter.com/TeCAd8mwfp
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 13, 2023
Some of the holdouts, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), have voiced concerns about Scalise's health. Others remain staunch supporters of Jim Jordan. Rep. George Santos (R-NY) stands out as a vocal Scalise critic, even proposing the idea of finding a "compromise candidate." Scalise is evidently under pressure.
However, Scalise isn't throwing in the towel just yet. He plans to meet with the holdouts, though his reluctance to address specific questions is notable. Given the urgency expressed by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) due to threats and the need for assistance to Israel, time is of the essence for Republicans to resolve this situation. Whether a vote will even occur this week remains uncertain, leaving the situation in disarray.
