Georgia Representative Austin Scott launched a bid for Speaker of the House on Friday.
Scott made his announcement in an X post.
“I have filed to be Speaker of the House,” Scott wrote. “We are in Washington to legislate, and I want to lead a House that functions in the best interest of the American people.”
I have filed to be Speaker of the House. We are in Washington to legislate, and I want to lead a House that functions in the best interest of the American people.
— Rep. Austin Scott (@AustinScottGA08) October 13, 2023
Some X users expressed dissatisfaction with Scott’s announcement.
“It’s like they have a closet full of Paul Ryan clones that get activated once needed,” said Human Events’ Jack Posobiec in reference to former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
It’s like they have a closet full of Paul Ryan clones that get activated once needed https://t.co/rZHaPX9twd
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) October 13, 2023
Former Trump administration advisor Stephen Miller expanded on Posobiec’s statement and noted most House Republicans typically embodied former Speaker Ryan.
“Most Republicans don’t realize how many Paul Ryans make up the House GOP rank-and-file because they mostly see their 10-20 favorite members on TV, podcasts and social media,” Miller wrote. “But there are far more members you’ve never heard of that would go back to Ryan in a heartbeat.”
Scott’s entrance into the Speaker race follows House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s Thursday withdrawal of his campaign for the office.
On Wednesday, Scalise secured the GOP nomination for Speaker of the House, though did not have enough support to secure a majority 217 votes from the Republican conference to assume Speakership.
“We have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs,” Scalise told reporters Thursday. “This country is counting on us to come back together. This House of Representatives needs a Speaker of the House, and we need to open up the House again.”
“But clearly, not everybody is there. And there’s still schisms that have to get resolved,” Scalise said.
The House Majority Leader did not endorse anyone for Speaker when asked.
Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, who launched his bid for Speaker of the House the same day as Scalise, appears to be the presumptive front runner, though several reports have indicated House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Oklahoma Representative Kevin Hern may also enter the Speaker race.
Several House Republicans, including Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Texas Representative Troy Nehls, have nominated former President Donald Trump for Speaker of the House.
Trump said he would accept a short-term stint as Speaker, though officially endorsed Jordan shortly after. Greene has also thrown support behind a Jordan Speakership.
House Republicans reconvened at 1 p.m. EST to resume voting on a new GOP nominee for Speaker. House Democrats have unanimously voted to nominate Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for the office.
To secure Speakership, a nominee must receive 217 out of 435 votes from Congress. Republicans currently hold a nine-seat majority over Democrats in Congress.
