Confusion and uncertainty loomed over Capitol Hill on Thursday as Republican nominee Steve Scalise fought to secure enough support to be elected Speaker of the House. After defeating Jim Jordan in a private vote on Wednesday, Scalise, 58, must now work to unite the divided Republicans and secure their backing in a full House vote. With a slim majority, Scalise can only afford to lose the support of five party members. The absence of an elected Speaker has left the House leaderless during a critical time, unable to pass bills or approve emergency aid requests from the White House, such as aid for Israel following the recent attacks by Hamas. Additionally, the House must pass a spending bill in the coming weeks to avoid a government shutdown.

On Thursday, House Republicans held a closed-door meeting in an attempt to sway those who remained opposed to Scalise. However, the meeting ended without a plan for a House vote. Scalise expressed his determination to narrow the gap and gain support. He needs a simple majority of 217 votes to secure the position, but it remains unclear whether he can accomplish that. Several Republicans, including George Santos, Nancy Mace, Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Anna Paulina Luna, have stated that they will not vote for Scalise.

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted by hardliners in his own party, acknowledged that it is possible for Scalise to gather the necessary votes but called it "a big hill." Representative Steve Womack of Arkansas echoed McCarthy's sentiment, saying that it remains uncertain when a vote will take place and whether Scalise will ultimately win. He dismissed any suggestions otherwise as mere conjecture driven by representatives who say one thing publicly but express different views on social media.

The outcome of the closed-door vote on Wednesday, in which Scalise received 113 votes compared to Jordan's 99, highlighted the deep divisions within the Republican Party. Some lawmakers have expressed skepticism about Scalise's ability to secure the necessary votes even after his victory in the private vote. Texas Congressman Chip Roy, a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus, stated that there are still a significant number of votes in question for Scalise.

Scalise is seen as the more traditional candidate in this race, having worked his way up through the party's leadership and established a reputation as a formidable fundraiser. However, he faces opposition from hardliners within the party. The Democrats, as the minority party, will nominate Hakeem Jeffries, but his chances of securing the position are slim.

The uncertainty surrounding Scalise's candidacy has added urgency to the situation, as the House is unable to pass legislation or fulfill its responsibilities without a Speaker in place. The Republicans are determined to avoid a repeat of the chaotic process that occurred in January when McCarthy had to endure multiple floor votes over several days before securing the position. However, more than a dozen lawmakers remain undecided or opposed to Scalise, making unity a challenge.

Scalise's health also adds a new dimension to the situation, as he is currently undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. Some supporters of Jordan have cited his health concerns as a reason not to vote for him, expressing a desire for Scalise to prioritize his well-being over taking on such a demanding position.

As the uncertainty continues, the fate of the Speaker position remains unclear. Scalise's ability to secure the necessary votes and end the days of paralysis in the House is yet to be determined. The deep divisions within the party, the opposition from hardliners, and the health concerns surrounding Scalise all contribute to the uncertainty surrounding the Speaker election.