The House of Representatives has found itself in a tumultuous situation as it continues to struggle in selecting a Speaker. This absence of leadership comes at a critical time as the Middle East is engulfed in chaos, and the House is unable to pass even a non-binding resolution expressing support for Israel. Republicans nominated House Majority Leader Steve Scalise for Speaker, but he faces significant opposition within his own party.

The resistance to Scalise among rank-and-file members has left Republicans dumbfounded. Even after Scalise secured the nomination in a closed-door vote, he is facing an uphill battle to garner the necessary support to become Speaker. Despite meeting with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, who pledged to nominate Scalise on the floor, many of Jordan's supporters remain loyal to him. The House finds itself in an unprecedented situation, unsure of what steps to take next.

The looming question is what happens next. It seems unlikely that there will be a vote until Scalise or any other candidate can gather enough support. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is waiting in the wings, but it remains unclear if he can regain a leadership role. Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry is also a potential option, but his viability is uncertain. The House could elect McHenry as Speaker Pro Tempore, allowing him to perform most of the Speaker's duties and keep the House functioning. However, this scenario would likely face opposition from both Democrats and Republicans.

Alternatively, the House may start looking for another candidate who can gather the necessary votes from a coalition of 217 members. This candidate would need to appeal to both Republicans and Democrats and find a middle ground. Unfortunately, nobody seems to have any suggestions for who this could be, leaving the House in a state of uncertainty.

This stalemate in the House comes at a critical time, as a government shutdown looms in mid-November. Without a Speaker, the House is unable to pass vital legislation and address the pressing issues facing the nation. The race for Speaker is set to be a grind, with House Republicans meeting behind closed doors to discuss their differences and conducting a candidate forum to hear from those running for the position. A secret vote will take place to determine who will be nominated for Speaker, with the nominee needing to secure a majority of the conference. The full House will then vote for Speaker, requiring an outright majority of all House members.

While the earliest possible vote on Speaker is likely Thursday, it could take longer as the process unfolds. In the midst of this chaos, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy is acting in a manner befitting a Speaker, refusing to resign his seat and urging President Biden to address the nation and provide leadership. Some Republicans are attempting to draft McCarthy back into the speakership, believing he was wrongly removed.

Overall, the House of Representatives finds itself in a state of disarray, with no clear path forward in selecting a Speaker. The lack of leadership hinders the House's ability to address pressing issues, including the crisis in the Middle East and the looming government shutdown. The coming days will prove crucial in determining who will ultimately assume the role of Speaker and guide the House through these challenging times.