As the Republican party anxiously awaits its next move in the wake of an unsuccessful Congressman Jim Jordan bid for House Speaker, multiple candidates have emerged as potential replacements for outgoing Paul Ryan.
In a surprise move, many senior Republican lawmakers have risen to challenge the status quo as fruitful alternatives. Representatives Jim Banks and Steve Scalise are among the front-runners to fill the House Speaker position, with their respective leadership credentials and familiarity with congressional procedure proving valuable assets to the Republican party.
Both Banks and Scalise have been at the center of the contentious fight to restore the conservative GOP agenda following the precedent-setting election of President Donald Trump. Banks has made waves as a relatively young lawmaker, while Scalise is a long-time Washington insider. The two have a proven track record on upholding conservative values and could potentially pull the Republican party out of its current limbo.
The race is also attracting attention from many of the Republicans’ most influential figures, with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise among those considered to have a major effect on the eventual winner.
McCarthy is a vocal proponent of the party’s pro-business platform, while Scalise is a close ally of House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows and could possibly build a bridge between moderate and conservative forces.
On the Democratic side, the competition is slim as the party struggles to maintain its progressive agenda in the midst of the fiery Republican race. Nancy Pelosi remains a strong contender for the position, though several lower-ranking members are also in the mix.
For now,, it’s unclear what the future of House Speaker holds, as GOP leaders are expected to re-convene on Monday to discuss a replacement for Paul Ryan. Whoever is chosen to fill his shoes will have the daunting task of unifying a divided Republican party and restoring confidence in a beleaguered Congress. With any luck, a compromise can be reached that allows the party to move forward with a unified agenda.
