By LISA MASCARO, FARNOUSH AMIRI, and STEPHEN GROVES
Rep. Steve Scalise faces a challenging situation as he seeks support from skeptical GOP colleagues in his bid to become House speaker. Without the majority vote required to win the position, Scalise must convince over 100 representatives, many of whom previously backed his rival, Rep. Jim Jordan. The battle to replace ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy has left the House unable to function, increasing the urgency for Republicans to regain control and govern effectively.
Alongside the leadership struggle, urgent action is needed to fund the government and address the possibility of a federal shutdown. Lawmakers are also seeking a bipartisan resolution expressing support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas. Unfortunately, these issues have been sidelined due to the stalemate in the House. The White House is expected to request funds for Israel, Ukraine, and replenishing the U.S. weapons stockpile.
Despite falling short in a closed-door Republican vote, Scalise remains determined to secure the necessary support. He has been engaged in discussions with hard-line Republicans who have voiced their concerns and demands. Scalise’s situation mirrors McCarthy’s experience at the start of the year, when he faced opposition but eventually won over enough support to become speaker before subsequently resigning.
The challenge this time is even greater, with Scalise needing to secure 217 votes in a chamber where Republicans hold a narrow 221-212 majority. Opposition from Democrats, who are likely to support their own leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, further complicates Scalise’s task. McCarthy revealed that Scalise initially indicated he would have 150 votes, but fell short. As tensions rise, further private meetings among GOP lawmakers are underway.
Jordan, a prominent member of the House Freedom Caucus and a candidate backed by former President Donald Trump, has publicly voiced his support for Scalise. However, it remains to be seen whether enough of Jordan’s backers will follow suit. Some hard-line Republicans have announced their support for Jordan, McCarthy, or alternative candidates.
Veteran lawmakers have noted that Scalise is not engaging in the same level of deal-making as McCarthy did to secure votes. Rep. Troy Nehls, for example, reaffirmed his support for Trump as speaker, suggesting that the position does not necessarily have to be held by a member of Congress. Trump is expected to maintain neutrality in the GOP internal election now that Scalise is the nominee.
During a recent radio interview, Trump commented on Scalise’s health, referencing his battle with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. Trump acknowledged the challenges that Scalise faces but did not explicitly endorse either candidate. The specter of a messy House floor fight, like the one that occurred in January when McCarthy became speaker, is a concern for many Republicans. Democrats, frustrated by the ongoing Republican leadership struggle, are urging their colleagues to find a resolution and calling for a return to bipartisanship.
Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
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