Support For Israel May Compel Quick Speaker Vote

Rep Kevin Hern's (R-OK) decision not to run for speaker means Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) remain the two clear frontrunners for speaker.

• Timeline for the week:
• House Republicans will hold a conference meeting tonight and a candidate forum tomorrow where Jordan and Scalise will pitch their candidacy. An internal GOP election is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday. A floor vote can take place as soon as Wednesday but Thursday appears more likely.
• Dynamics to watch:
• Rep Patrick McHenry (R-NC), the current speaker pro tempore, may be put forward as interim speaker. There are questions about what powers he may have but Congress is facing a raft of legislation with major domestic and international implications including FY24 bills - critical to avoiding a government shutdown in November - which can't be brought to the floor without a speaker.
• Congress is also facing a White House request for additional Ukraine funding - a politically sensitive issue for House Republicans which may offer the most friction to the process.
• The White House will likely try to advance a request for emergency Israel funds in the coming days. Overwhelming bipartisan support for Israel may compel a quick speaker vote and lawmakers seen as delaying the process may expect blowback from Congress, the media, and constituents.