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Republicans in the House of Representatives appear to be split between two choices for the speakership now that Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has been vacated from the position. On Wednesday, multiple outlets reported that Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., had won the speakership nomination in a private ballot conference in D.C.
However, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump last week, is still in the running for the speakership, depending on how the final vote on the House floor goes.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., stated on X, “I’ll be voting for Jim Jordan for Speaker when we vote on the House floor. Rep. Jordan has a concrete plan to move the Republican conference forward. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House!”
According to a report from Breitbart, Scalise won the speakership nomination on Wednesday in a vote of 113 against Jordan’s 99. However, the outlet noted that this was less than half of 221 eligible Republican voters.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., on Wednesday indicated that she would be voting for Jordan during the House vote. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., has already endorsed Jordan, as well, in addition to Florida Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Byron Donalds.
Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., has also endorsed Rep. Jordan, calling a “constitutionally principled and fiscally responsible leader.”
According to NBC, Democrats have renominated House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as a candidate for Speaker of the House, although the gavel will probably go to a Republican due to the Republican majority in the conference.
As far as when the House vote on the speakership will take place, it depends on when the Speaker Pro Tempore, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., brings the vote to the House floor.
The vote could happen as early as Thursday, but so far, it is unclear when it will take place, and without a secure 217 votes for the speakership, Rep. Scalise may very well fail to win the position.