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Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) stand as part of a contingent of at least six Republicans expressing resistance to the nomination of Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) for Speaker of the House, even after a concealed ballot process endorsed him as the preferred choice of the caucus.

This group of Republicans, instead, pledged their allegiance to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the contender who lost to Scalise in the internal caucus decision.

“Through a confidential balloting session within our group, I gave my vote to Jim Jordan for Speaker, and I plan to do the same on the House floor,” Greene communicated via X, a social media platform. “While I hold Steve Scalise in high regard, my wish for him is to conquer his health battle against cancer rather than undertake the stressors of Congress’s most demanding role.”

In late summer, Scalise shared news of his blood cancer diagnosis, yet maintained an optimistic outlook given the condition’s high treatability, all while keeping up with his legislative duties.

Greene, reflecting on her personal loss, added, “Having witnessed my father’s struggle with cancer, I understand its severity. Our nation requires a Speaker fully capable of devoting their energies to triumph over the opposition and preserve the American way.”

Other representatives, including Chip Roy (R-Texas), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), have similarly declared their intention to withhold support from Scalise.

Scalise emerged as the prospective heir to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in the wake of a secret ballot, edging out Jordan in a 113-99 vote.

The next hurdle for Scalise is the House floor, where he needs a minimum of 217 votes for the Speakership. With Democrats poised to unite behind Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Scalise’s margin for dissent within Republican ranks is narrow, tolerating no more than four defectors if all members participate in the vote.