Following the unusual resignation of Rep. Kevin McCarthy this month, a source close to Emmer has verified that Rep. Tom Emmer is making calls in an effort to get a nomination to become the next speaker of the U.S. House.
Republican representatives have made attempts to fill the leadership void in the House, which has prevented Congress from conducting business. Both Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan were defeated by various House Republican caucus factions.
Emmer had earlier declared he will run for the role of House Majority Leader rather than the speakership. He has the position of majority whip in the House and is now in position three.
Finstad announcement of support
Brad Finstad, a congressman from Minnesota, declared late on Friday that he will back Emmer for Speaker of the House:
“I have known Congressman Emmer for over twenty years, since our time working in the Minnesota Legislature,” stated Finstad. “From the day that I came in Congress, it has been an honor to work alongside Tom and we have come to truly cherish him as a mentor and as a friend.”
“Our Conference chose Congressman Emmer to serve as our Majority Whip in January, and Tom has excelled in this role. Congressman Emmer has the confidence and respect required to lead the People’s House, whether it be in Minnesota or elsewhere in the nation. I’m pleased to endorse him for Speaker.
“A working Congress is something the American people deserve. My goal is that my House colleagues can unite to complete this election, regain control of the House, and resume serving the American people.
Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry has been acting as speaker pro tempore since McCarthy’s dismissal.
During the most recent voting for speaker, in which Jordan was denied the position, Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado cast multiple votes for Emmer.
Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips offered his colleague Emmer as a replacement earlier this month and claimed he did not regret his vote to remove McCarthy.
“Until my GOP friends nominate a new Speaker of the House, Congress cannot take any action. And they are free to decide. They are preponderant. Their job is to complete the work. There is nothing we can do. What ought we to do? We must assist Israel. We must assist Ukraine. It goes beyond simply nations and other global jurisdictions. This concerns an existential danger to liberty and democracy, according to Phillips.
Other contenders
Some Republicans started debating whether they should run for speaker soon after the GOP conference rejected Jordan as its choice.
Representative Kevin Hern of Oklahoma said to reporters, “I’m in,” & added, “We’ve got to take a lot of phone calls over the weekend.”
Hern said in a letter to colleagues that he “called, texted, or met” with each of the 221 Republicans in the conference to inquire about what they wanted in their future speaker after McCarthy was removed from office. McCarthy had already pondered running after that. However, he decided to withdraw from the contest because he thought that a “three-man race for Speaker will only draw out this process longer, creating further division which could make it harder for any contender to reach 217 votes.”
Additionally declaring his candidacy is Michigan Representative Jack Bergman.
“My hat is in the ring, and I’m optimistic that I can garner support where others have failed. I’m simply in this to do what’s best for our country and to steady the ship for the 118th Congress; I have no particular interests to serve, he added in a statement.