House GOP candidates for speaker, Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan, presented their plans for avoiding a government shutdown during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday. Jordan proposed a long-term, stopgap spending bill that would cut current spending levels by 1% in order to buy more time to pass individual spending bills. Scalise, on the other hand, wants to pass all 12 appropriation bills and force negotiations with the Senate. The GOP conference remains divided and skeptical that either candidate will quickly gain enough support to become the next speaker. However, both candidates have committed to supporting each other if they become the nominee and continuing the House GOP’s impeachment inquiry.
Despite the efforts of Scalise and Jordan to win over GOP lawmakers, it is unclear whether either candidate will secure enough votes to become the next speaker. Many Republicans expressed skepticism and emphasized the divided nature of the conference. Both candidates were questioned about the promises they made to members in their bid to become speaker, with Jordan emphasizing his commitment to fighting for the party. Scalise did not provide a clear answer. Vulnerable Republican Rep. David Valadao suggested that it will be difficult for either candidate to secure the necessary votes. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who supported Scalise and Jordan, stated that he will support whoever gets the conference’s support and urged his supporters not to nominate him for speaker.
The House GOP conference remains bitterly divided and there is no clear path forward. Republicans are preparing for the possibility that neither Scalise nor Jordan will be able to gather enough support to become the next speaker. The conference is also divided over the rules that will be used to elect a new speaker, as they aim to avoid a repeat of the marathon voting process that occurred in January. With the potential for a government shutdown looming, finding a consensus on a speaker nominee is crucial to ensure the smooth functioning of Congress. However, the conference’s deep divisions may complicate the process and hinder the ability to govern effectively.
