The paralysis surrounding the US Congress intensified after Republican Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker of the House last Tuesday. In the days since, deep divides within a more hardline Republican faction have become stark, and there is little consensus on who should assume the role or how the selection process should run. Voting could begin as early as this Wednesday, first in the Republican caucus and then in the full House, but there is no guarantee. Interim Speaker Patrick McHenry acknowledged that the objective remains to elect a new leader before week’s end.

Pressure to resolve the stalemate is mounting. Budgets must pass before November 17, and Congress faces urgent conflicts including Gaza aid and broader Israel assistance, along with ongoing epidemic-related expenses. Some lawmakers want more time; for example, Max Miller suggested at least one additional week before voting, describing the situation in stark terms: the body is still warm.

Both Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise, the leading official candidates, have not yet aligned on a single path. A sizable bloc of McCarthy loyalists could slow the process by withholding support for any candidate who may have to reconcile past promises with new demands. McCarthy had even hinted at a possible return, though he initially insisted he would not go back.

“A bloodbath”

By Monday, six days into the crisis, GOP members held their first closed-door meeting. Phones were banned and assistants stayed outside. What was said and what leaked from the session did not inspire confidence that a breakthrough was near.

Attendee Nick LaLota called it a first therapy session, while others described it as a tense, contentious gathering, sometimes perceived as a political bloodbath with sharp cross-accusations. Deep anger over Israel policy persisted among many Republicans, with far-right congressman Matt Gaetz leading resistance to McCarthy and eight other Republicans joining him.

Neither Jordan nor Scalise spoke at the meeting, though both had said they would address the group. On Tuesday night a candidate forum was held, featuring five-minute presentations from each, followed by questions and a two-minute closing statement.

Scale-up of the Republican campaign then proposed that the party’s identity remain firmly conservative, with the possibility that new leadership would avoid repeated internal conflicts that plagued McCarthy.

Jordan, chairman of the Judiciary Committee and a prominent advocate for a tougher, more right-leaning agenda, framed his candidacy as a way to preserve congressional stability while extending firm support for the White House’s priorities. He has cultivated support from hardline factions and has argued that principled governance requires accountability within the party.

Both candidates promote an ultra-conservative program and have vowed to advance budget bills that would include deep cuts. They diverge on some issues, notably aid to Ukraine, where Scalise is more inclined to continued support and Jordan has signaled more caution.

change the rules

Uncertainty about when and how a resolution will be reached is rising. Some Republicans are pushing procedural changes that would not rely on a simple majority in the conference. The current plan envisions ensuring a sufficient vote in the plenary session to win, with 217 votes if all members are present.

The motive behind such changes is to prevent a repeat of the humiliating scenes seen earlier this year when McCarthy endured 15 rounds of balloting. While Jordan supports altering the rules, Scalise opposes altering the path to a vote.

Other topics have surfaced, including questions about motions of censure. Some members want to ease such motions in future negotiations, though doing so might not require Democratic support to pass.