Republican discord over choice of speaker risks power vacuum

The two main candidates for the most senior job in the US after the presidency remained deadlocked before a vote overnight.

Steve Scalise arrives for a candidates forum for speaker on Washington’s Capitol Hill on Tuesday. Picture: AFP

The two main candidates for the most senior job in the US after the presidency remained deadlocked before a planned vote overnight on Wednesday, amid concerns about a power vacuum created by Republican infighting.

Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan commanded the support of several dozen Republicans for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives following the unprecedented ousting of the ­incumbent.

Kevin McCarthy was ejected as Speaker last week in a vote led by eight party rebels.

The week-long suspension of the house will continue if the party cannot agree on a replacement as deadlines loom to pass funding bills, including the military budget, with aid to Ukraine also resting on the outcome.

“While we argue about so many serious internal problems, we seem to be unaware of the grave dangers facing us and our allies across the world,” Mike Kelly, a Pennsylvania congressman, posted. “The greatest nation to ever inhabit this planet is consumed with political issues and ­ignoring her own vulnerabilities and weaknesses.”

Mr McCarthy, 58, refused to rule out a comeback during a speech on Monday, although none of the rebels has switched to help him to the necessary 218 votes from the 221 Republican members, if all 212 Democrats continue to vote against, showing the power given to a small band by the slim majority the party won last November.

Several Republicans want the party to change the rules that Mr McCarthy agreed when he was making deals to become Speaker in January. Under those measures, a single member can bring a motion to “vacate the chair”.

Jim Jordan arrives on Tuesday for a meeting with the Florida Republican delegation regarding the speaker’s race. Picture: AFP

Mr Scalise, 58, from Louisiana, is the leader of the party on the house floor and seen as a more establishment choice, while Mr Jordan, 59, from Ohio, is backed by Donald Trump and attracts hardline members. Mr Scalise has voted for aid to Ukraine, but Mr Jordan, who as chairman of the judiciary committee is conducting an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden, wants to end it.

Republicans were due to hear their pitches on Tuesday night, followed by a ballot behind closed doors on Wednesday before a vote of the whole house.

Mr McCarthy’s selection went to 15 rounds of voting lasting a week until concessions satisfied rebellious Republicans.

Even though there is a temporary Speaker in Patrick McHenry, 47, of North Carolina, electing his permanent replacement takes precedence over all other business. Some Republican congressmen warn of a prolonged impasse.

“The body is still warm,” said Max Miller, 34, from Ohio.

“We need an extra week to see who the candidates are, who are going to run to be leaders in our conference.”

The White House said on Tuesday that Mr Biden had been interviewed as part of an independent investigation into his handling of classified documents after he left office as vice-president in 2017. The interview conducted at the White House was voluntary, said Ian Sams, a spokesman for the White House counsel’s office.

The Times