This is a developing story.
Breaking Digest previously reported that Rep. Steve Scalise is facing challenges getting the necessary 217 votes to become the next Speaker of the House, despite his internal GOP nomination.
According to Newsmax, the Louisiana congressman is expected to withdraw from the race, with sources indicating this may happen as early as today.
House Republicans met behind closed doors Wednesday morning, where they chose Scalise as the GOP candidate for House Speaker.
Scalise’s victory in a narrow 113-99 closed-door vote over House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has not translated into securing the floor votes required for the Speaker position.
BREAKING NOW: Steve Scalise expected to WITHDRAWL from race for Speaker of the House after reports indicate he cannot secure the 217 votes needed.
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) October 12, 2023
WHO DO YOU SUPPORT FOR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE? pic.twitter.com/JY01maAOI4
Earlier today, Breaking Digest reported that Scalise lacks the necessary floor votes to become Speaker of the House.
According to the Hill, at least six Republicans have indicated they will vote for Jordan on the House floor.
Voting for someone other than Scalise: 7
- Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) — voting for Rep. Jim Jordan
- Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) — voting for Rep. Jim Jordan
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) — voting for Rep. Jim Jordan
- Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) — voting for Rep. Jim Jordan
- Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) — voting for Rep. Jim Jordan
- Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) — voting for Rep. Jim Jordan
- Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) — voting for Rep. Kevin McCarthy
Not yet supporting Scalise and undecided: 6
- Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO)
- Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX)
- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY)
- Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX)
- Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN)
- Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH)
As reports suggest Scalise’s will withdraw, attention is now shifting towards Rep. Jim Jordan. Jordan, a staunch conservative and founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, is gaining prominence as a potential candidate for the Speaker position.
Additionally, Rep. Tom Emmer from Minnesota and Rep. Kevin Hern from Oklahoma, who leads the largest Republican caucus in Capitol Hill, are also emerging as possible candidates for House Speaker.
Watch:
BREAKING: Newsmax reports that Rep. Steve Scalise will likely not be able to secure 217 votes and is expected to drop out of the race for Speaker of the House. pic.twitter.com/8nTDfER2Zq
— ALX 🎃 (@alx) October 12, 2023
