Televised GOP Speaker Debate Set For Monday Called Off

With the weekend looming, neither House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), nor House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH), have locked down close to the requisite 217 votes required to win the speaker’s gavel next week.

• Here is what next week is expected to look like:
• Monday: A planned debate hosted by Fox News' Bret Baier has been called off after criticism from Scalise, Jordan, and Republican Study Committee Chair Kevin Hern (R-OK).
• A spokesperson for Jordan said: “Mr. Jordan is always happy to share his plan for the country, but he believes it is crucial to meet with the GOP conference before the event.”
• Tuesday: The House Republican conference will hold an internal candidate forum.
• Wednesday: The GOP will hold a closed conference election to select a nominee.
• There is currently no timeline for holding a final vote on the House floor and it could be delayed indefinitely if no candidate is seen gaining sufficient support.
• The upcoming speaker vote may differ from January’s ballots as it may empower moderates over conservatives. Forty-five House Republicans wrote a letter to the GOP conference yesterday demanding changes to the motion-to-vacate rule which led to McCarthy’s ouster.
• This will be an exceptionally important issue which may determine the future stability of the chamber and, if successfully reformed, would likely decrease the risk of a government shutdown.