Scalise: ‘First Order of Business’ is Backing Israel if Elected Speaker

Last Updated on October 11, 2023

GOP Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) told reporters at the U.S. Capitol that if he’s elected Speaker of the House, his “first order of business” will be passing a resolution supporting Israel amidst its rapidly unfolding conflict with Hamas. Scalise won a thin majority of GOP support during an internal speakership vote on Wednesday but has reportedly not secured the 218 votes required to become Speaker of the House. Though the House was initially expected to reconvene on Wednesday afternoon to make its first attempt at electing a new speaker, that vote has been delayed, signaling that Scalise has not locked down the speakership.

“We have a lot of work to do. Not just in the House for the people of this country, but we see how dangerous of a world it is and how things can change so quickly,” Scalise told reporters at the U.S. Capitol after he narrowly won an internal GOP vote nominating him for Speaker of the House, but not obligating GOP members to actually support him.

“We need to make sure we’re sending a message to people all throughout the world that the House is open and doing the people’s business, making sure that we’re unequivocally standing, and our first resolution that we pass under speaker Steve Scalise will be to make it clear that we stand with Israel.”

Watch Scalise make his remarks below: 

Steve Scalise says that if he’s elected speaker, his ‘first order of business’ will be passing a resolution in support of Israel. pic.twitter.com/0OPQP481cR

— Frankie Stockes (@realStockes) October 11, 2023

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Scalise’s enthusiasm for backing Israel comes after he refused to commit to releasing the J6 tapes, defunding Ukraine, and defunding the Biden DOJ’s anti-Trump witch hunts when questioned by National File in Washington this week.

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The situation surrounding the vacant speakership is rapidly developing. Stay with National File for updates and on-the-ground reporting as they become available.