WASHINGTON, D.C. – The US House of Representatives is at a halt. They’re unable to move forward with business until a new Speaker is elected.
Now that the House is without a speaker, the next step is electing one. So far we know of two House republicans openly saying they want the speaker’s role: Representative Jim Jordan (R- OH) and Representative Steve Scalise (R- LA). We spoke with Pennsylvania Representative Mike Kelly on the House voting McCarthy out. Kelly was part of the majority of Republicans who voted to keep McCarthy. We asked him if there are any frontrunners for the gavel. He didn’t give me any names as to who he thinks should be the next Speaker, only telling us members have called him and asked for his support. Here’s what he shared with us on yesterday’s historic vote and his frustration with his own party members:
“It was really quiet in the end especially when counts were final and both sides were quiet,” said Rep. Mike Kelly (R- PA). “It was a historic day for America. I don’t think its on the plus side of what our history is about. It’s stunning to see eight members of our party knowing the fragile numbers we had to be in the majority to jump ship. I did not expect one democrat to vote for McCarthy but I really did expect our party to be more united than they were.”
Members told us they’re already getting calls from their colleagues asking for their support in the Speaker race, but they’re not naming who they are supporting yet. We can expect the House to vote on who should be the next Speaker by next week. We’ve reached out to Rep. Jack Bergman’s office for comment on the Speaker vote and the election of a new Speaker but did not receive a comment or statement.
