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“How the Search for a House Speaker Shapes the Future of the Republican Party

As the nation nears the end of its two-year term in Congress, house Republicans must prepare to select a new leader. Some GOP members have indicated that they are ready for change in House Leadership, but the process of selecting a new Speaker of the House requires some familiarity with House rules and procedures. Put simply, the house Republicans must decide who among their members will serve as their nominee. The first step in the process is to elect a Speaker of the House candidate. It is up to the majority party — in this case, the Republicans — to caucus and select a nominee. The Republican Party’s leader in the Congress, currently Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, is typically nominated to vie for the top job. If McCarthy is elected, he will become the 53rd Speaker of the House — the first in over a decade. Once the nominee is selected, a general agreement of the house is needed in order for the nominee to ascend to the position of Speaker. The votes don’t necessarily have to be unanimous, but the nominee needs at least a majority of the entire House of Representatives — 218 votes in total. If the votes are equal to or greater than 218, they nominee is declared Speaker of the House and the business of the house can begin. The importance of the Speaker of the House is not to be underestimated. On some of the most controversial issues, such as healthcare reform, war, and immigration, the Speaker of the House can be the deciding factor in their passage. It is therefore, critical that house Republicans select a Speaker who will accurately reflect their views and values and one who will work to advance their legislative agenda. This responsibility does not come with an easy decision process, but it is critical that house Republicans pick the candidate who they believe will best serve their interests and those of the American people.
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