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Scalise is the GOP’s pick to be the House speaker but he faces an uncertain path. What happens next?

by Madison Thomas
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House speakership race

In the aftermath of House Republicans selecting Majority Leader Steve Scalise as their nominee for speaker, the race to secure the necessary 217 votes on the House floor has begun, marking the potential transition from the recently ousted Kevin McCarthy. In the confidential vote within the GOP conference, Scalise secured 113 votes, while Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, received 99 votes. However, some Republicans refrained from casting their votes for either candidate, leaving Scalise well short of the required threshold.

As Scalise strives to garner broader support and unite fellow Republicans behind his bid for the speakership, uncertainty looms over his path to leadership. The sudden removal of McCarthy as speaker left the House without a clear leader, with North Carolina Rep. Patrick McHenry temporarily filling the role.

Notably, Scalise, who previously served as McCarthy’s deputy, is a well-regarded lawmaker, despite facing significant health challenges, including injuries from a 2017 shooting incident and a recent diagnosis of blood cancer. Nonetheless, he remains committed to assuming the top position.

The process of electing a speaker in the House typically occurs every two years during the organization of a new session, with elections triggered by the speaker’s death, resignation, or removal from office, as is the case now. Each party nominates its candidate, with Republicans backing Scalise and Democrats supporting their current leader, New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.

During the speakership vote, members are seated, and the roll call begins. Each member individually declares their choice, and the candidate must secure a majority of votes from the present and voting House members. If necessary, the House can hold multiple rounds of balloting until a candidate achieves this majority.

Scalise faces several challenges in the upcoming floor vote, as nearly half of the Republican conference initially supported Jordan. While some may shift their support to Scalise, he will need substantial backing from House Republicans to secure the speakership. Additionally, members are not bound by tradition to vote only for House members as speaker candidates, potentially introducing further complications.

Historically, the majority required to become speaker has been 218 votes, but this number can be adjusted if members choose to vote “present.” Present votes reduce the overall threshold needed for a majority. Currently, with two vacancies in the 435-seat House, a speaker would need 217 votes if every member votes for a nominee.

Upon securing a majority, the clerk will officially announce the election of a speaker. A bipartisan committee, typically from the chosen candidate’s home state, will escort the speaker-elect to the dais to administer the oath of office, followed by a customary inaugural speech. Outgoing speakers usually join their successors at the speaker’s chair, symbolizing the peaceful transition of power.

Upon being sworn in, the new speaker assumes immediate authority, and their name plaque is swiftly placed above the speaker’s office door. Scalise, if elected, has outlined his first actions, including passing a bipartisan resolution in support of Israel during its conflict with Hamas and addressing the pressing matter of government funding before the mid-November deadline.

This report includes contributions from Farnoush Amiri, a writer for Big Big News.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about House speakership race

What is the significance of Steve Scalise’s nomination as the GOP’s pick for House speaker?

Steve Scalise’s nomination as the GOP’s choice for House speaker is a pivotal development in the U.S. House of Representatives. It marks a crucial step in the process to determine the leader of the House and, in this case, would replace Kevin McCarthy, who was recently removed from the position. Scalise’s nomination signifies the Republican Party’s direction and leadership choice as they prepare for an important transition.

How does the House elect a new speaker?

The House of Representatives typically elects a new speaker every two years during the organization of a new session, which usually occurs in January. This election can also be triggered by the speaker’s death, resignation, or removal from office, as happened with Kevin McCarthy. Both major political parties, in this case, the GOP, and the Democrats, nominate their respective candidates for the position. House members, seated around the chamber, then individually declare their choice during a roll call vote. The candidate must secure a majority of votes from the present and voting House members to become the new speaker.

What are the challenges Steve Scalise faces in securing the speakership?

Scalise faces several challenges in his bid for the speakership. Notably, nearly half of the Republican conference initially supported Rep. Jim Jordan, his competition. While some of them may shift their support to Scalise, he needs widespread backing from House Republicans to win. Additionally, House members are not bound by tradition to vote only for House members as speaker candidates, which could introduce further complications, as some members have cast votes for individuals outside the House in the past.

How does the number of vacancies in the House impact the vote for speaker?

The number of vacancies in the House directly affects the threshold required to become speaker. Historically, the magical number has been 218 votes, which is the majority of the 435 House members. However, if there are vacancies, as is the case currently, the number needed to secure the speakership decreases. With two vacancies in the 435-seat House, a speaker would need 217 votes if every member votes for a nominee.

What happens after a speaker is elected?

Once a speaker candidate secures a majority of the vote, the clerk officially announces the election of the new speaker. A bipartisan committee, often consisting of members from the chosen candidate’s home state, escorts the speaker-elect to the dais to administer the oath of office. Following this, the new speaker typically delivers an inaugural speech. Outgoing speakers often join their successors at the speaker’s chair, symbolizing the peaceful transition of power. The newly elected speaker immediately assumes authority and their name plaque is promptly placed above the speaker’s office door.

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