"Republicans Vote for McCarthy's Replacement in House Speaker Race"
Republicans are set to begin the process of electing a new House speaker, following Kevin McCarthy's ouster. The conference will meet privately to cast an initial vote for a nominee, with Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan both vying for the position. However, neither candidate currently has enough support to win a majority on the House floor. The new speaker will face challenges such as the Middle East crisis and a looming government funding deadline, while working with a slim majority. Republicans are uncertain if the process will conclude quickly, with some suggesting a potential deadlock.