(TheIndependentStar.com) – In a highly concerning turn of events exposing a deepening GOP rift, House Republicans halted their efforts to elect a new Speaker after a divided vote on their winning nominee, GOP Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
On Wednesday afternoon, the House Republican conference voted on a nomination to replace Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who was ousted in a motion to vacate earlier this month with the help of eight conservatives.
While House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) won the speaker nomination with 123 votes vs. 99 votes for his rival, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), some Republicans left the private meeting refusing to support the former in the general House vote, The Washington Times reports.
The report stresses that the GOP can only afford to lose a minimal number of their votes in its new bid to elect a House speaker. Republicans hold a 221-212 majority over Democrats in the chamber.
An immediate recess was declared as the House convened in the afternoon, intending to facilitate a later vote.
Behind closed doors, senior Republicans strived to secure approximately 217 votes that Scalise needs in order to triumph in the House speaker election. Meanwhile, Democrats nominated Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York for the top job.
In the wake of his conference defeat, Jordan encouraged his supporters to rally behind Mr. Scalise, the current majority leader, even offering to nominate him for the speaker position when the vote takes place in the House. Despite this, a number of GOP members remain unswayed.
The Times observes that Jordan has been revered among hardline Republicans, who appreciate his boldness in challenging the GOP leadership on significant policy matters and spending, such as border security.
Among those who declared they would still case a vote for Jordan were Rep. Lauren Boebert of Coloroda and Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.
After winning the nomination, Scalise, 58, affirmed that he would secure the votes.
“We see how dangerous of a world it is, and how things can change so quickly. We need to make sure we’re sending a message to people all throughout the world, that the House is open and doing the people’s business,” the Louisiana Republican stated.
He vowed that his initial act would be to introduce a resolution supporting Israel, as America’s top Middle East ally is still fighting off a massive attack by the Hamas terrorist group.
After winning the GOP nomination for House speaker, Rep. Steve Scalise says the first resolution he will pass will "make it clear that we stand with Israel."
"We need to make sure we're sending a message to people all throughout the world, that the House is open," he says. pic.twitter.com/tlnTNukyYH
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 11, 2023
