Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise has emerged as the Republican pick for Speaker of the House, following a vote among party members that underscored deep divisions within the caucus. The election to fill a post that has been vacant since the ouster of Kevin McCarthy highlighted ongoing friction as lawmakers grapple with how to move forward amid internal disagreements.
In an internal vote held on Wednesday, Scalise, a longtime conservative in the Republican Conference and the party’s No. 2 in the House, secured a narrow advantage. He previously survived a gun attack by a left-wing extremist and has been enduring chemotherapy for leukemia since August. Scalise won 113 votes in favor to 99 against, besting Jim Jordan, a prominent figure who chairs the Judiciary Committee and earned support from former President Donald Trump.
That tally surpasses the bare minimum required to advance the nomination within the Republican Conference by just two votes. The bigger challenge now lies in the House-wide process, where the speaker must win a majority of the full chamber. With 217 votes needed if all members vote, Scalise faces a demanding road to secure broad support across both parties.
Uncertainty
The final chamber vote could occur as soon as Wednesday afternoon, but delays are possible if Scalise seeks to lock in the 217 votes he needs. At the time of writing, that outcome remained uncertain as factions within the party pressed for assurances before committing to support.
Some Republicans have pushed to ensure the 217 votes are already pledged before a formal floor vote, while others have resisted making a public commitment. The party’s internal divisions echo the turmoil seen earlier this year when McCarthy’s removal prompted a protracted and chaotic series of votes. Those tensions have continued to complicate efforts to unify the conference.
Several lawmakers who favored Jordan did not guarantee their support for Scalise, and Jordan himself did not secure universal backing. Others urged patience, criticizing the timing of the general assembly vote and calling for more time to achieve party unity. As a result, a new round of intense negotiations began among conservatives while the path to a stable majority remained unsettled.
Scalise’s priorities
During his earliest remarks to the press, Scalise chose to acknowledge the complexity of the moment but concentrated on core priorities. He framed his candidacy in terms of a conservative agenda and stressed the importance of demonstrating to the public that the House can operate openly and effectively. He said, openly, that the House should be a functional institution that can address the nation’s pressing concerns.
Scalise promised that if he is elected, his first actions would include backing a resolution confirming the United States’ commitment to Israel. He also signaled an intention to convene discussions on security matters and border policy. If he secures the position while serving alongside President Joe Biden, Scalise would move into a position as second in the presidential line of succession.
Additionally, Scalise addressed budget issues, signaling a willingness to review the fiscal situation in the United States. The government currently relies on a bipartisan extension to stay funded, a temporary measure tied to the broader conflict over fiscal policy. The extension was approved with cross-party support, solving only for the short term and leaving longer-term funding and debt decisions unsettled. The situation is complicated by a divided Congress, with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats controlling the Senate, each side demanding different spending priorities. In this climate, lawmakers would likely need to navigate further extensions or a set of distinct budget bills to prevent a shutdown, all while negotiating spending cuts that have proved contentious in past talks. The outcome rests on ongoing negotiations and the willingness of both sides to find common ground in a polarized environment.