Republican says GOP bickering over next speaker makes ‘us look like a bunch of idiots’

Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) said the disputes within the GOP to elect a House speaker make the party “look like a bunch of idiots.”

“It’s a tough scenario,” Scott told CNN. “There are people in there that are honorably trying to get to the right place, and then there are people in there, as you know, that like to go on the TV and are not necessarily negotiating for anything other than TV time.”

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When CNN’s Manu Raju asked the Georgia Republican how that makes the party look, Scott replied: “Makes us look like a bunch of idiots.”

House Republicans gathered Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern time to discuss a path forward after House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) dropped out of the race on Thursday, after the conference nominated him to the speakership in a secret ballot behind closed doors.

Scott did not vote for House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) on Wednesday’s secret ballot. He also condemned the eight Republicans who moved to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) more than a week ago, stating they’re “nothing more than grifters who have handed control of the House to the Democratic Party in the name of their own glory and fundraising.”

The House has been in crisis mode for days, with some members still supporting Scalise, others backing Jordan, and the rest of the conference undecided. As possible replacements for McCarthy circulate, several Republicans are floating the idea of renominating the former speaker. House Republicans are huddled behind a closed-door meeting to discuss the viability of a Jordan speakership, while other candidates could emerge by the end of the day.

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The office of House speaker has been vacant for over a week, with McCarthy’s removal marking the first time a sitting speaker has been effectively fired by the chamber. The GOP saw a glimmer of hope when it rallied on Wednesday to nominate Scalise over Jordan, but after hours of meeting with his colleagues, the Louisiana Republican withdrew his name due to a lack of support.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Scott’s office for comment.