Steve Scalise is out. What are some of the Republicans’ alternatives?
Even before the GOP speaker nominee dropped out of the running Thursday night, fellow Republicans had floated a handful of options to try to end the impasse over the speakership and get the House back to work.
Here are some of those possibilities, and the obstacles they might face as the House GOP plans another internal meeting Friday morning.
Jim Jordan: The Ohio Republican commands loyalty from the party’s hard right, and even before Scalise quit some conservatives argued that the conference should turn to Jordan if Scalise couldn’t get over the finish line. Several Republicans said Thursday night he deserves the next shot after finishing a close second to Scalise in an initial internal vote. Jordan indicated Thursday night he would hold off on announcing any next steps until at least Friday.
“It seems to me that Jordan has advantages,” said Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), a hardliner who praised Jordan’s plan for a spending package to avert a potential shutdown in November.
The challenge: Jordan just lost to Scalise in an internal vote — so he has even farther to climb to get to the 217 votes needed to win the speakership on the floor. Moderates could recoil from the combative Donald Trump ally who worked to overturn the 2020 election. He could be toxic in their districts.
Patrick McHenry: The North Carolinian is speaker pro tem and at least one prominent GOP pragmatist, Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio), suggested empowering him for some period of time — maybe 30 or 60 days — to oversee legislative business. Some Republicans were circulating a letter Thursday night urging a similar plan. He could at least help the House pass aid for Israel and potentially cut a deal on spending before the Nov. 17 deadline. After previously downplaying this possibility McHenry said Thursday his potential speakership is “up to the will of the conference.”
The challenge: The rules are unclear on what McHenry can legally do beyond conducting a speaker’s race, so any official action might be on shaky ground. And a number of Republicans said they want an empowered, formally elected speaker when it comes to issues like negotiating spending levels with the Senate.
“You cannot do that with somebody in a temporary position,” said Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.). “They have to have the full empowerment of the House.”
New Names: After Scalise, the next highest-ranking Republicans are Whip Tom Emmer (Minn.) and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), so they could logically be in line for the top job. Emmer was planning to seek the majority leader post to replace Scalise, but that avenue is now closed. He could take a shot at the top post, or other new names could swoop in and try to unite the caucus. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) had considered a run for speaker but didn’t jump in. Some Republicans said he remains a potential contender.
Others have called for shaking up the status quo, potentially allowing a surprise contender to satisfy them.
The challenge: Any GOP nominee can only lose 4 votes to win a Republican-only majority on the House floor, and after all the recent turmoil in the fractious conference, there are significant doubts anyone can clear that bar, no matter what their background.
A Caretaker: Lawmakers — perhaps including some Democrats — could vote for a caretaker who wouldn’t try to keep the job long term. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), a respected institutionalist, has been floated as one such option. He could help deal with the immediate issues, and even take any heat for cutting a deal with Democrats on spending, clearing the decks for the next speaker.
The challenge: Anyone appointed with the blessing of Democrats might immediately draw suspicion from a significant segment of Republicans.
A Bipartisan Pick: What once sounded like a TV fantasy got an airing Thursday from some senior Republicans: cut a deal with Democrats to elect a speaker with bipartisan support. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chairman of the Armed Services Committee, on Thursday called for Democrats to lay out their demands to make such an agreement possible. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has repeatedly said his caucus is ready to work with Republicans — if they adopt rules changes that would curb what he sees as extremism.
“We’ve got to find a way to come together, restructure the House in a bipartisan way, designed to allow for common sense things to come to the floor,” Jeffries said on PBS NewsHour Thursday night. “The House can either continue to be driven by the most extreme members of the Republican conference, or we can alter the legislative landscape in a structured way to facilitate bipartisan cooperation.”
The challenge: Again, many Republicans would likely balk at a speaker empowered by Jeffries. And Democrats might have some significant asks to help pull the GOP out of its own morass. It’s unclear exactly what rules changes Jeffries might request.
Kevin McCarthy Part II: A week after his ouster some Republicans argue the former speaker is still their best choice. After all, he still had support from more than 96 percent of the conference, and the 210 votes he won last week are far more than either Scalise or Jordan mustered Wednesday.
“Kevin McCarthy obviously has the strongest support, still continues to have support,” Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) said Thursday morning, even before Scalise dropped out.
McCarthy himself has teased another potential run, and was not subtle about piling onto Scalise’s woes.
The challenge: McCarthy’s critics have already shown they have the votes to unseat him. Do Republicans really want to get back on the same roller coaster?