Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise will run for speaker of the House of Representatives

2023-10-04 22:08:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise will run for speaker of the House of

Lawmaker Jim Jordan, one of the main opponents of Democratic President Joe Biden, became the first Republican on Wednesday to announce his candidacy for Speaker of the House of Representatives.

If elected, Mr. Jordan will succeed fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy, who was fired a day earlier from this position, following a motion presented by the Republicans themselves.

After Mr. Jordan's announcement, lawmaker Steve Scalise, the number two Republican in the House of Representatives, announced that he will run for this post.

Along with them, several other candidates are expected in a race that is expected to be long and challenging, to fill the post of the head of the House of Representatives, which is led by the Republicans.

Mr. McCarthy's ouster on Tuesday, pushed by a faction of fringe Republicans, marks the first time the House has fired its leader, who is third in line behind the president and vice president.

Republicans have scheduled a vote on Oct. 11 to choose Mr. McCarthy's successor and will meet a day earlier to hear their nominees.

Mr. Jordan, a vocal conservative who has led congressional investigations into President Biden, is the first to publicly state that he is interested in the position.

"We need to bring the group of lawmakers together and I think we can do that," he told reporters.

A former college wrestler known for eschewing formal attire during congressional hearings and press conferences, Jim Jordan, 59, first gained weight as a vocal leader of the party's right wing before creating a alliance with Mr. McCarthy.

As chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, he is involved in investigations aimed at launching impeachment proceedings against President Biden.

Tom Emmer, the number 3 Republican in the House of Representatives, is also a possible candidate. Meanwhile, following Mr. McCarthy's dismissal is Legislator Patrick McHenry who is temporarily serving as Speaker.

The battle for the House leader comes at a time when Congress must avoid a partial government shutdown, which would begin on November 18 if lawmakers do not pass the budget bill./ VOA