House Republicans Hold Private Vote Wednesday to Nominate Speaker Amid Funding, Foreign Policy Crises

House Republicans will meet Wednesday to vote privately for a speaker nominee, hoping to avoid a drawn-out public floor vote.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan are the main candidates, but neither yet has enough support.

Whoever becomes speaker faces crises like funding the government by Nov. 17 and addressing violence between Israel and Gaza.

Some want a rule change to require 217 Republican votes to nominate a speaker, ensuring they have majority floor support.

Rep. Ken Buck said he's open to a new candidate if Scalise and Jordan remain deadlocked.