House GOP rejects rule changes as party continues search for speaker

House Republicans are set to hold their second candidate forum this week shortly after the party tabled or withdrew a slate of proposed rule changes in order to be nominated as speaker.

Due to the rejected rules, candidates will only be required to receive a simple majority within conference before they can be advanced as the official nominee on the House floor. Republicans are scheduled to meet for another candidate forum at 1 p.m. on Friday, where other lawmakers are permitted to declare a speaker bid.

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GOP lawmakers met for roughly one and a half hours behind closed doors on Friday morning as the party experienced a major setback the night before when Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) withdrew his name from consideration for speaker. Republicans shot down four considered amendments to change party rules when it comes to nominating a speaker as the party seeks to expedite the process of electing a new leader.

House lawmakers also shot down an amendment from Rep. Bill Huizenga that would strip members of their committee assignments if they refused to back the candidate who won the party’s nomination, seeking to avoid a similar situation that unfolded earlier this week when at least 20 members came out in opposition to Scalise.

However, some members called such a proposal “silly,” arguing whoever receives the nomination should have enough influence over the party to secure the speakership.

“I’m hopeful that whoever the nominee ends up being, they don’t need a rule to compel people to get a room and have a conversation,” said Rep. Mike Garcia. “That’s why these rules are silly.”

It’s not entirely clear whether the amendments are being dismissed altogether or whether they could be revived at another time when all members of the party are in town. Several members left Washington, D.C., for the weekend, with only 209 of 221 Republicans present for the meeting, according to Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC).

When asked if rule votes could still happen, Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) said: “I doubt it.”

All members who left town have been called to return, although it’s not yet clear whether they will return in time for the party’s afternoon meeting.

House Republicans initially planned to hold their amendments meeting at noon on Friday to give those absent members more time to return, but that was later changed to 10 a.m., according to Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY).

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“But then the sentiment was, if they’ve already abandoned us, why would we stay longer to accommodate their return?” he said.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) is expected to submit himself as a candidate for the speakership during the candidate forum. It’s not yet clear whether other lawmakers will do the same, although some members have said they’ll keep their minds open to other options.