Will Trump Be Back in 2024 as President?

The field of House Republicans vying for the Speaker’s role narrowed from nine to eight on Monday night, as Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) announced his withdrawal during a private candidate meeting. Despite this, many GOP lawmakers acknowledge that the internal battle for the Speaker’s position is unlikely to conclude quickly.

The reduction in candidates hasn’t brought the party any closer to identifying a nominee who can secure the crucial 217 votes needed on the House floor. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), leader of the more moderate Main Street Caucus, expressed skepticism about the party’s unity. He pointed out that with Republicans’ slim four-vote majority and a united Democratic caucus, it would only take a few members to derail the entire process.

During Monday night’s meeting, Republicans took the opportunity to question the remaining candidates on various issues. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), for instance, grilled each candidate on their willingness to scrutinize Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland, particularly Garland’s treatment of detainees from the January 6 Capitol incident.

The remaining eight candidates were also questioned about their stance on additional aid for Ukraine, a topic that has garnered opposition from many House conservatives.