The House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), in a historic vote.
On Tuesday afternoon, the chamber voted 216-210 on the motion to vacate, following a 208-218 vote on a motion to table Gaetz’s resolution to oust McCarthy.
All Democrats in the House voted to remove McCarthy.
House Republicans are scrambling to find the clear choice for the next speaker on the heels of major party dissent.
Here’s why Steve Scalise is the obvious choice:
1. Republicans Stand Behind Him
For example, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who led in the effort to overthrow McCarthy, has put Scalise’s name forward several times, saying after Tuesday’s vote that the majority leader is “the type of person that I could see myself supporting.” This endorsement is powerful, and it isn't the only one. The No. 3 leader, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., practically endorsed Scalise moments after McCarthy informed Republicans he would step aside after being removed.
2. He’s a Tried and True Leader
Scalise was elected to Congress in 2008 after serving in the Louisiana State Legislature for 12 years, from 1996-2008. Scalise served as House Majority Whip from 2014-2018 and as House Minority Whip from 2019-2022, where he was responsible for unifying the Republican Conference as legislation moved through the House of Representatives.
For the current 118th Congress, Scalise was elected House Majority Leader by his colleagues, the second highest position in House Republican Leadership. In his tenure as House Majority Leader, the Republican led House passed more bills in the first 100 days than the 117th Congress– despite not having one party control.
3. He’s Next in Line
Scalise currently serves as House Majority Leader, the No. 2 job in the chamber. As majority leader, the Republican House majority also broke the record for the most hearings in a single day, with a mind-blowing 42.
Since 2018, Scalise has been a frontrunner and obvious choice for House Republicans, as well as our last president, for Speaker of the House.
Scalise has long been a down-to-earth, grassroots kinda guy. From starting his first campaign for the State House knocking on doors and having spaghetti dinners, Scalise has come a long way. His perseverance, through an assassination attempt that almost took his life in 2017, have not gone unnoticed. Scalise has been a leader for decades, and he's not slowing down anytime soon. It’s high time the House Republicans gave credit where it's due and nominated Steve Scalise as the next Speaker of the House.