House Majority Leader Steve Scalise was facing an uphill climb in his bid for the speaker’s gavel Thursday, a day after winning the internal GOP conference election in a race that was closer than he would have liked.
Around 20 members have publicly said they would not support Scalise on the floor after the Louisiana Republican defeated Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, Wednesday on a 113-99 vote.
“This is a critical inflection point that requires resolve, patience and courage from House Republicans to reject the continuation of the Swamp’s status quo and demand the real change in leadership that American people deserve,” Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., said in a statement Thursday reiterating his support for Jordan despite his loss in conference.
