![]() That is raising questions for some about whether Scalise can take on the demanding role of speaker, which usually entails a nearly nonstop schedule of fundraisers and campaign events.īut Scalise has a reputation as a fighter and has told reporters he feels great. The toll of the treatments has been obvious as he makes his way around the Capitol. He is dealing with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, and undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Scalise was majority whip from 2014-2018 and minority whip from 2019-2022. He brings years of experience in leadership. He would be a logical pick for many Republicans. Scalise, now the top-ranking Republican in the House, is seen as an ardent conservative. Jordan once coached wrestling at Ohio State, and former wrestlers said in 2018 that he turned a blind eye to complaints that a now-dead team doctor was sexually abusing the athletes. 6 attack as lawmakers tried to gather more information about his role. Jordan also refused to comply with subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. Perhaps most significantly, Jordan worked closely with Trump and White House aides in the weeks and days before the Capitol riot, strategizing about how Congress could help Trump overturn his loss to Biden. Jordan was one of Trump’s chief defenders on the Judiciary Committee during Trump’s two impeachments. He is leading the push against the “weaponization” of the Justice Department, which has brought several cases against Trump. “I feel like I can unite the conservative voters across the country and reach out to the moderates in our conference as well,” Jordan told reporters Wednesday. ![]() Trump even awarded Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom five days after the Jan. Jordan, 59, was also one of Trump’s closest allies when Trump was president. Jordan had been a key McCarthy advocate since Republicans regained the majority. The Ohio Republican, first elected in 2007, had tried to help McCarthy’s ultimately doomed effort to hold Republicans together. The Judiciary Committee’s leader has played a key role in Republicans’ impeachment inquiry of Biden. Jordan, a founder of the House Freedom Caucus, is likely to be the favored choice of the hard-line conservatives now driving the Republican Conference. Don’t expect a crossover or nonpartisan candidate.Ī look at the lawmakers vying to be speaker and the demands they are already facing from some Republicans: But that attempt to elect a speaker could easily be delayed if there is no consensus choice by then.ĭemocrats will also vote, but Republicans have a slim majority and hold the power to choose the next speaker. The real contest could come as soon as Wednesday when the House next convenes. The former president, the front-runner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, had been in talks to visit Capitol Hill next week, most likely for that candidate forum, according to three people familiar with the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity before an official announcement. Trump said early Friday on his Truth Social platform that he was backing Jordan. Now, top Republicans want party members to work it out behind closed doors before a floor vote. McCarthy’s chaotic election as speaker in January took 15 punishing rounds and left him in a weakened position that contributed to his unprecedented downfall. Kevin Hern, who as chair of the Republican Study Committee leads the largest faction of Republicans in the chamber. With the House trying to pick a new leader as soon as next week, others are waiting in the wings, including Oklahoma Rep. Jordan and a fellow longtime party stalwart and hard-liner, Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, have begun making their case though phone calls and texts to colleagues. WASHINGTON (AP) - For Republicans, it’s a question with no clear answer: Who becomes House speaker after Kevin McCarthy?ĭespite former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio on Friday, it’s not at all certain that any of the GOP candidates will be able to round up enough votes - 218, if all lawmakers are present and voting - to ascend to one of the most powerful positions in government, second in line to the presidency. By STEPHEN GROVES, FARNOUSH AMIRI and LISA MASCARO (Associated Press)
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