"Republicans Remain Hopeful for House Speaker Despite Ongoing Dysfunction"

House Republicans will hold closed-door internal votes to determine their next speaker nominee after 21 days of dysfunction and chaos. Despite the challenges, some party members remain optimistic about reaching a resolution and getting back to work. Whip Tom Emmer and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds have garnered support, but the party is still far from being united behind one candidate. The next nominee can only afford to lose four votes, creating a difficult task in a divided conference. The House has been engulfed in chaos since the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and Republicans have yet to find a candidate who can secure the necessary votes.