What Happens Next in the House Speaker Race

livemint.com:

WASHINGTON—A Republican Party still reeling from the sudden ouster of Kevin McCarthy is now rushing to find a new leader that could unite a fractured conference and be elected speaker as soon as next week. After a chaotic day of voting toppled McCarthy, Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R., N.C.)—running the House temporarily—closed the chamber to give colleagues time to find their next leader. He said Republican hopefuls would make their pitch next Tuesday with the goal of a vote the following Wednesday.

House business, including efforts to fund the government before a November deadline, was put on hold until then. McCarthy was removed in a 216-210 vote from his post Tuesday after nine months of fighting with a hard-right conservative wing of the party, just days after he engineered legislation to avert a government shutdown. Because of his narrow majority and a procedure that allows one member to force a vote on removing a speaker, the eight Republicans who voted alongside all Democrats were enough to oust him.

“Four percent of our conference can join all of the Democrats and dictate who will be the Republican speaker of this House," a frustrated McCarthy told reporters Tuesday night. Asked what his advice to the next speaker would be, McCarthy responded: “Change the rules." Who could be next Some names were already emerging as possible successors, but it wasn’t clear who could unite the conference. It took McCarthy 15 rounds to prevail in January, and nine months later, he was out.

Rep. Steve Scalise, the House majority leader, started making calls to fellow Republicans about a possible bid Tuesday night, according to a House GOP aide. The Louisiana Republican is a clear choice for the post as the No.