Scalise and Jordan Emerge as Frontrunners to Replace Ousted McCarthy as House Speaker, Exposing Republican Divisions

Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan have emerged as frontrunners to replace Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker after he was removed by Republicans. Both are hardline conservatives.

Scalise is the House Majority Leader and has support, but his health is a potential weakness after surviving a shooting in 2017 and battling cancer.

Jordan is a prominent right-wing figure who led efforts to impeach Biden, but those stumbled out the gate. He's open to Trump as Speaker.

The speaker battle exposes GOP divisions, with moderates lamenting the "sideshow" as the party tears itself apart.

Beyond McCarthy, no speaker has ever held the role without being a member of Congress, complicating suggestions of Trump.