House Speaker Race Amid Israel-Hamas War

In the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the House of Representatives in the United States has found itself without a House Speaker for parts of nine days. This situation is compounded by the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, and the House’s inability to pass a simple, non-binding resolution expressing support for Israel.

Republicans had nominated House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) as their candidate for Speaker, and he won the support of the House GOP Conference behind closed doors. However, the challenge now lies in gathering the necessary votes to secure the Speakership. This challenge is a mathematical one, as it seems there may be no clear path for Scalise to win the required votes.

Surprisingly, many House GOP members and aides encountered significant resistance to Scalise’s candidacy among rank-and-file Members. Notably, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) did not endorse Scalise. This lack of support may make it extremely difficult for Scalise to reach the Speakership.

Despite his win in the secret ballot vote against House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Scalise still faces resistance from Jordan’s supporters. This situation puts the House in a unique and challenging position.

As for what happens next, it appears unlikely that there will be a vote until the math aligns in Scalise’s favor or for another candidate. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) remains in the background, but his return to a leadership role is uncertain. Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) is another potential candidate in case of an emergency, though his viability remains unclear. McHenry could potentially perform the duties of the Speaker and keep the House functioning.

However, this scenario could lead to a motion to vacate the chair of the Speaker Pro Tempore, which would likely come from both Democrats and Republicans. The House might also explore other candidates to fill the Speaker position, but as of now, it is unclear who could gather the support of a coalition of 217 Members, which would likely include both Republicans and Democrats, while navigating between the extreme ends of the political spectrum.

The worst-case scenario is that the House remains in a state of stasis, with a looming government shutdown in mid-November. The uncertainty surrounding the House Speaker race raises concerns about the functioning of the government during a critical period.

Chad Pergram, the senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel, has been closely following these developments in the House Speaker race amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. As the situation continues to evolve, the United States faces significant challenges in maintaining effective governance.

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