House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) was nominated by House Republicans on Wednesday to become the next Speaker of the House.
The final tally for the secret ballot vote was 113 for Scalise and 99 for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) despite Jordan receiving former President Donald Trump’s endorsement last week.
STEVE SCALISE is the House Republican's nominee for speaker of the House.
113-99
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 11, 2023
The vote was held in a closed-door meeting where no cellphones were allowed.
“We need to make sure we’re sending a message to people all throughout the world that the House is open and doing the people’s business,” Scalise said after the vote.
He added that there was “a lot of important work to do on behalf of people who are struggling not only here in America, but who are concerned all around the world.”
“We’re going to provide that vision,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do, obviously.”
To become Speaker of the House, Scalise will need to earn 217 votes which is the threshold for a simple majority assuming all members are present.
Some Republicans did not want to move forward with bringing Scalise forward until they were sure that they had 217 votes within their own party.
Republicans have a narrow lead in the House over the Democrats, 221-212.
“I think it is foolish to rush this to the floor unless you have 217 votes,” said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY). “It’ll be interesting.”
The House will reportedly recess on Wednesday afternoon and there are no plans for a vote, however, one could happen.