Title: Republicans Gear Up for Lengthy Battle to Replace Ousted House Speaker McCarthy
Date: October 4, 2023
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The race to replace Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House is gaining momentum as top Republicans Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan announce their candidacy. The contest to fill the leadership position, which has become a focal point of division within the GOP, is expected to be lengthy and messy, potentially involving several other candidates.
McCarthy’s removal on Tuesday, orchestrated by a rebellious faction of fellow Republicans, marked a historic moment for the chamber. This unprecedented move is the first time the House has ousted its leader from a position that is second in line to the presidency, following the vice president.
Republicans have scheduled a vote for October 11 to select a successor, with a candidate forum scheduled the day before. However, the leadership clash is causing lawmakers to divert their attention away from crucial tasks such as extending government spending and updating farm-subsidy and nutrition programs.
Scalise, the current No. 2 Republican in the House, has long been considered McCarthy’s heir apparent. Despite undergoing cancer treatment, he has been actively building support for his bid and is seen as a more conservative alternative to McCarthy. Scalise survived a life-threatening gunshot wound in 2017 during a baseball practice session.
In a letter to Republicans, Scalise emphasized the need to unite and steer the country back on track: “We all need to come together and pull in the same direction to get the country back on the right track.”
Jordan, a leading antagonist of President Joe Biden, is a former college wrestler who gained prominence as a leader of the party’s right wing. Known for his vocal support of former President Donald Trump, he has been involved in investigations of the Biden administration and is currently overseeing an impeachment investigation into Biden. Questions surrounding Jordan’s alignment and moderation levels have arisen, potentially impacting his chances.
While Scalise and Jordan position themselves as front-runners, others, such as Representative Kevin Hern, are also considering throwing their hats into the ring. Hern, who leads a policy group for conservative lawmakers, expressed the need for Republicans to focus their efforts externally rather than internally.
As the Republicans scramble to find a consensus, concerns about U.S. political governance have caused unease on Wall Street. Combined with fears about interest rates, the ongoing instability has contributed to a sustained sell-off in government bonds.
The aftermath of McCarthy’s removal has further highlighted the difficulties the Republican Party faces in finding stable leadership. Previous Republican speakers, Paul Ryan and John Boehner, both left the position due to clashes within the party. Some Republicans are calling for rule changes in the House to prevent further oustings and ensure more stability in leadership.
All House members, both Republicans and Democrats, will vote for the new speaker, who will remain in office until January 2025 unless deposed. Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to run against any Republican nominee, as he did during the previous leadership challenge in January.
As the battle for House Speaker unfolds, Republicans will need to focus on mending internal divisions and presenting a united front to tackle crucial national issues and ensure effective governance.
Reporting by David Morgan, Moira Warburton, and Richard Cowan; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone, Cynthia Osterman, and Howard Goller