The House GOP leadership fight is turning into a battle royale


With a Democratic House victory in the books, Republican members of Congress are stepping up for their next fight: winning leadership over their shrunken coalition.
Republicans will relinquish their House speakership to a Democrat come January, likely to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). With Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) retiring after this term, Republicans could easily trade their majority positions for a minority equivalent. That would put House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) atop of the GOP caucus — but not if Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has anything to say about it.
Jordan launched his candidacy for speaker back in July, presuming Republicans would still lead the House in 2019. Since then, Ohio State University wrestlers have alleged that, as their former coach, Jordan ignored reports that a team doctor was molesting them. That seemingly hasn't deterred Jordan, who denies the claims, as he reaffirmed he'd still run for minority leader in a Wednesday Hill.TV interview. Ryan has indicated support for McCarthy, and Fox News suggests Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) will resume his role on the minority side.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Meanwhile, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) has announced she'll run for the third-ranking spot as House Republican Conference chair, reports The Washington Examiner. The daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney was encouraged by Republican leaders to aim for the spot, a source told CNN, and it could lead her to a bigger role in the Republican Party.
President Trump hasn't hinted at what Republicans he'd like to see lead the House, but he did give Pelosi a somewhat glowing endorsement on Wednesday morning.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats
-
Supreme Court rules for Fed’s Cook in Trump feud
Speed Read Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her role following Trump’s attempts to oust her
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protesters
Speed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal
-
Trump: US cities should be military ‘training grounds’
Speed Read In a hastily assembled summit, Trump said he wants the military to fight the ‘enemy within’ the US
-
US government shuts down amid health care standoff
Speed Read Democrats said they won’t vote for a deal that doesn’t renew Affordable Care Act health care subsidies