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House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) has emerged as one of the leading contenders to replace Kevin McCarthy in the speaker’s chair after the California Republican’s unprecedented removal from the position on Tuesday.
Who is Steve Scalise?
Scalise, 57, has represented Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District in the lower chamber since 2008.
He’s up for re-election in November 2024 and has declared his candidacy for next year’s race.
The former computer systems engineer first got involved in politics in the mid-90s, serving as a state representative in the Bayou State from 1995-2007.
Scalise nearly died in June 2017 after he was shot by a left-wing fanatic while practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game in Alexandria, Va.
In November 2022, the dad of two was elected by his Republican colleagues to serve as House majority leader – the second-highest leadership position in the lower chamber.
The behind-closed-doors vote was reportedly unanimous, according to reports.
Scalise, a former House minority and majority whip, embraced the majority leader role, which entails figuring out work schedules and setting agendas.
McCarthy ousted as speaker — now what?
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was removed as speaker of the House after a historic vote led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has been appointed temporary speaker until a new speaker can be elected.
The House has never removed and replaced a speaker before in its 234-year history.
Multiple reps have been floated as potential speakers, but it is unclear who will succeed McCarthy at this time.
Nancy Pelosi has been evicted from her Capitol Hill office by the interim speaker.
McCarthy blasted Gaetz in a defiant interview with reporters, slamming the Florida congressman as a fake conservative and calling his move “personal.”
“We will get to work preparing an agenda that is focused on the struggles hardworking families are facing, including passing bills through the House to reduce inflation, lower energy costs, secure the border, and help law enforcement officers get the tools they need to keep our communities safe from rampant crime,” Scalise said after the vote.
“I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work fighting for those families who are struggling as the new House Majority Leader.”
Scalise announced in August that he had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
The congressman described the cancer as “very treatable” and said that he had already begun the treatment, which he noted will continue “for the next several months.”
“I expect to work through this period and intend to return to Washington, continuing my work as Majority Leader and serving the people of Louisiana’s First Congressional District,” Scalise said of how his diagnosis will impact his work on Capitol Hill.
Is Scalise interested in becoming the next House speaker?
It is likely. The veteran congressman wouldn’t rule out the possibility that he would seek to replace McCarthy when asked by reporters Tuesday.
“I enjoy working with Tom [Emmer] and our leadership team, and we have a lot of work to get done. But I haven’t made any formal announcements,” Scalise said.
The majority leader is already in the process of gauging GOP support for his potential bid for the speakership, according to multiple reports.
Since McCarthy’s ouster, Scalise has reportedly called conservatives who opposed the former House speaker and the Republican delegations of Texas and Florida, according to Punchbowl News – which notes that the calls have been “going well.”
Who is backing Scalise’s potential speaker bid?
“Steve Scalise is our leader. If he wants it, then I think that it’s likely that he will be the leader — the speaker nominee,” Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) told reporters Tuesday, according to Politico.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who introduced the motion to remove McCarthy on Monday, has also said that he thinks “very highly” Scalise.
“I would probably vote for Steve Scalise,” Gaetz said Monday, while adding that there are probably 100 members of the Republican caucus that he would support.
Who could challenge Scalise for the speakership?
Gaetz has reportedly floated House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), House Rules Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) as possible successors to McCarthy.
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) indicated Tuesday that he will nominate former President Donald Trump to be the next House speaker.
“Kevin McCarthy will NOT be running again as Speaker. I nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the House,” Nehls tweeted.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), who voted in favor of ousting McCarthy, suggested on Monday Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) would also make a good speaker.
House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is another name likely to emerge. Stefanik is the highest-ranking GOP woman in Congress and ally to 2024 Republican presidential primary front-runner Donald Trump.
It’s unclear if any of those potential candidates would put themselves forward.
When will we find out who the next House speaker is?
Unclear.
Congressional lawmakers have been advised that there will not be any votes for the remainder of the week.
The GOP conference will hold a candidate forum on Oct. 10 and an election by the full House is slated to take place on Oct. 11.
Lawmakers can nominate any individual they wish for the speaker position, followed by a roll call vote.
House members are not bound to vote solely for nominated individuals, and the winner must win by a simple majority of those who vote for a candidate (meaning “present” votes lower the threshold of support needed).
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