(NewsNation) — In a closed-door caucus meeting, House Republicans nominated Rep. Steve Scalise as their candidate for speaker of the House.
Scalise was challenged by Rep. Jim Jordan, though other names were floated in the wake of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ouster.
Speaking to reporters following the nomination, Scalise pledged to support Israel and vowed to get the House open for business again.
“We have a lot of work to do, not just in the House, (but) for the people of this country,” he said. “But we see how dangerous of a world it is and how things can change so quickly.”
He also called on the Senate, where Democrats hold a majority, to do their part in getting legislation passed.
Previously, House Republicans rejected a proposal that would have changed the way speaker candidates are nominated in an effort to avoid a fight on the House floor similar to when McCarthy was elected after 15 rounds of voting.
Speaking with reporters, Rep. Tim Burchett said he believes the GOP can get the vote done in one try this go round, pledging to vote for Scalise.
Scalise only had to get the votes of a majority of the caucus, 111 votes, for the vote to move to the House floor, where he will need to earn 217 votes to win.
With the Republicans holding a narrow majority of 221 seats, the nominee will have to work to earn the support of most of the caucus to succeed.
McCarthy’s removal, brought to the House floor by Rep. Matt Gaetz, is the first time in history a speaker has been removed from the office, with only eight Republicans voting for McCarthy’s removal, successfully removing him despite the rest of the party voting against removal.
Gaetz expressed his support for Scalise and told reporters he believes Scalise will get the votes needed to become Speaker in the floor vote.
“I’m excited for him. Can’t wait to go vote for Steve Scalise. Long live Speaker Scalise,” Gaetz said.
Until a new speaker is elected, the House is unable to bring bills to the floor or conduct votes. That leaves Congress paralyzed as the country faces a potential government shutdown in November and President Joe Biden is urging lawmakers to take action on providing aid to Israel in its war against Hamas.
