The Presidency of the House of Representatives has become expensive. McCarthy's number two, Steve Scalise, and the president of the Judiciary Committee, Jim Jordan, two of the most influential Republican congressmen have announced their intention to fight for the position, not to mention that the former president Donald Trump has not said "no" to his nomination by Texas legislator Troy Nehls.
Both Scalise and Jordan are widely supported by all currents of the Republican Party that coexist in the chamber. Matt Gaetz himself, the author of the motion that brought down McCarthy, noted that, despite being a trusted man of the previous House speaker, Scalise would be a good option for him. Even though the leader of the conservative majority in Congress is currently treating blood cancer. However, Gaetz made it clear, even before the president of the Judiciary Commission took the step forward, that his first option would always be his mentor Jordan. Once both made their candidacies official, the Florida representative noted that either of the two would be "a monumental upgrade" over McCarthy.
So the way moderates want to punish me is by making it harder to remove Speaker Jordan or Speaker Scalise?
OH NO!
ANYTHING BUT THAT!!!! https://t.co/T1mxltVmUR
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) October 4, 2023
Scalise is supported by Emmer and Gonzales
Scalise's profile is closer to McCarthy, with whom he has worked hand in hand for a long time, but with whom he maintained a rather cold relationship. However, members of the hardline GOP respect him, especially for being much more conservative than the representative from California. For the moment, he has secured the important support of House Whip Tom Emmer, to whom he would have promised the position of majority leader. The co-president of the Congressional Hispanic Conference Tony Gonzales also expressed his support for this candidacy.
It is with a strong sense of responsibility and purpose that I seek the House Republican Conference’s nomination for Speaker of the House.
Read my letter to my colleagues: pic.twitter.com/G6YDd2SjCD
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) October 4, 2023
Scalise has the handicap of being treated for blood cancer, although according to himself, the prognosis is good and the treatment has a high success rate. In addition, the congressman from Louisiana assures that he can continue maintaining his daily activity without problems. In addition, he still limps as a result of injuries received in an attack in 2017.
Jordan, the favorite of the hard wing, respected by the rest
For his part, Jordan is the spiritual leader of the hardline, but is widely respected by all currents. His election, a priori, would allow the most fractious congressmen - including Gaetz - to maintain the line set by the speaker without dissent. In his letter, in addition to insisting on the need for greater fiscal discipline, he calls for unity among conservatives in the House of Representatives: "No matter what we do, we must do it together as a conference."
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) October 4, 2023
Trump follows the trend of those who want to propose him as a candidate
During Wednesday, several congressmen speculated about the possibility of proposing Donald Trump as a candidate. Texas Congressman Troy Nehls even announced that he will vote on his behalf. After the initiative reached him, the former president published a photo of himself wearing the MAGA cap with the speaker's gavel raised, encouraging rumors that the magnate had not rejected the proposal.
