It appears House Republicans have finally started to come to a consensus on who may or may not be replacing Kevin McCarthy for the House Speaker role. Just this morning on Tuesday, October 24, one GOP member has come out on top for the first round of voting.
In the wake of House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) departure as Speaker, Republicans have turned to a member of the establishment wing for their new nominee. In Tuesday’s secret vote, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) was chosen by plurality but failed to reach the necessary majority needed to win a nomination on the floor.
MATT GAETZ is quietly helping TOM EMMER, per multiple GOP sources.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 24, 2023
Prior to Tuesday’s voting round, conservatives had thrown their support behind Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), hoping he would be able to lead them away from McCarthy’s era and its short-term omnibus spending bills and negotiations with Democrats for a government shutdown.
Despite three attempts, Jordan ultimately failed in his bid for House Speaker and exited the race, paving the way for Emmer’s nomination.
Gaetz Backs Emmer After Supporting Scalise Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who had led the rebellion against McCarthy earlier this month, has since turned his attention towards aiding Emmer—a key ally of McCarthy—and backed House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA).
The current GOP rules state that voting will continue until one candidate receives a majority vote from 221 members in the caucus. On first ballot, Emmer received 78 votes while Rep Mike Johnson (R-LA) got 43 and Rep Byron Donalds (R-FL) 29, with Pete Sessions receiving 8 votes -the least out of all candidates.
Conservatives such as Rep Scott Perry (R-PA) have noted that “nobody is perfect” when it comes to evaluating their nominees record but time is running out as legislation such as government funding or border security authorization remain unable to pass without leadership in place. As expressed by Rep Steve Womack (R-AR): “At some point in time we’re gonna have to fish or cut bait…we’re gonna have to get this thing behind us.”
