Replacing Kevin McCarthy: 5 things to know about the race for House speaker

By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter Monday, October 09, 2023

4. The vote for a new speaker could happen as early as Wednesday

According to the Congressional Record, the House is scheduled to meet again on Tuesday. Roll Call reported Friday that the process to elect a new speaker will begin Monday evening with a “members-only discussion” and will continue on Tuesday with a “candidate forum” featuring those hoping to become the next speaker.

CNN reported that House Republicans will "hold an internal, secret-ballot election to officially select their nominee” on Wednesday. According to the news outlet, a floor vote to elect a new speaker “could happen as soon as Wednesday, but it will be up to whomever the GOP decides to officially nominate — starting the floor vote will be their call.”

Even if Republicans rally around one candidate, there is no guarantee that the preferred speaker candidate will win on the first ballot. With Republicans holding just 221 of 433 seats in the House amid two vacancies, it will only take five votes from anyone other than that candidate within the Republican conference to prevent him from winning.