Scalise, aged 58, must now navigate the challenging task of uniting the fractured Republican party and gathering the backing of a majority of its members. The Republicans hold a slim majority, meaning Scalise can only afford to lose the support of five party members in the upcoming vote in the House. It remains unclear when this vote will take place.
The closed-door meeting’s result, with Scalise securing 113 votes to Jordan’s 99, underscores the profound internal disagreements within the Republican party. Some lawmakers, including Kentucky’s Thomas Massie, have expressed their firm opposition to Scalise due to disagreements on budget handling. Massie stated he is a “hard no” for the initial vote, and he believes at least 20 other Republicans share his sentiment, making Scalise’s position precarious.
