The Playbook Podcast

Now in its third week, the search for a new House Speaker leads House Republicans back to a private internal conference vote to decide who of the eight candidates should be the next nominee. Congress reporter Anthony Adragna lays out for Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza what we can expect (or try to) from the Hill in the week ahead. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza interviews Congress reporter Anthony Adragna.

After more than two weeks and multiple failed floor votes, House Republicans have yet to elect a new speaker. Among nine declared candidates, Majority Whip Tom Emmer is most likely to win the GOP conference nomination and head to the floor. But will he be able to evade accusations that he is not in lockstep with Donald Trump? Playbook co-author Rachael Bade breaks it down.

Rep. Jim Jordan has a press conference at 8 a.m. and another speaker vote scheduled for 10 a.m. Will 217 members of the Republican conference back him? Unlikely — but we’ll be watching. Plus, President Biden used his Oval Office address last night to forcefully advocate for aiding both Israel and Ukraine. National security reporter Alex Ward breaks it down with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels.

The House is still without a Speaker after Rep. Jim Jordan once again failed to receive the 217 votes necessary to secure the gavel.Rather than continuing with a second vote after the Ohio Republican’s first failed ballot on Tuesday, Jordan used the time to attempt to flip more members of his own party to yes votes. Instead, he received an additional two ‘nos’ bringing the total on Wednesday to 22. The plan for Jordan—and the entire speaker-less House going forward— is unclear, Huddle author Daniella Diaz tells Playbook Deputy Editor Zack Stanton. Plus, protestors calling for a ceasefire in Gaza sat in the Capitol as President Biden was en route back from Israel, and the different ways Democrats have chosen to address (or not address) the crisis is deepening some existing fissures within the party.

Playbook Deputy Editor Zack Stanton interviews Huddle author Daniella Diaz.

After failing well short of the necessary 217 votes, Rep. Jim Jordan scrambled yesterday to rescue his campaign for House speaker. But with a whopping 20 members of his own party breaking ranks, he's got serious work to do ahead of a second floor vote scheduled for 11 a.m. today. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade and Editor Mike DeBonis discuss whether Jordan has any hope of salvaging his bid for the gavel and what might happen if he can't. Plus, a hospital attack in Gaza leaves hundreds dead and complicates President Biden’s trip to the Middle East. That, plus all the news you need to know today.

In an unexpected turn of events, Rep. Jim Jordan has become the favorite to claim the Speaker’s gavel after an unprecedented number of initial detractors say they will flip their votes in favor of the Ohio Republican. A final vote for the new Speaker is expected Wednesday. Plus, President Biden will make a rare wartime visit to Israel to show support as the county prepares a ground invasion of Gaza. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade breaks down the news you need to know today.

A little over a week into the conflict playing out in Israel and Gaza, the impact on Washington is becoming more clear. President Biden may try to visit Israel in the near future if the violence subsides long enough to make it safe. The administration has also sent a request to Congress for an aid package to both Israel and Ukraine. But as National Security reporter Alex Ward tells Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza, Ukraine funding is a divisive topic in the House, which could imperil all the aid.

Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza interviews National Security reporter Alex Ward.

Yesterday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise shocked colleagues and reporters by pulling out of the race to become the next speaker — a little more than 24 hours after clinching the GOP’s nomination. What now? Congressional reporter and Huddle author Daniella Diaz walks Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels through some possibilities of what could come next in the speaker-less House.

Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels interviews Congressional reporter and Huddle author Daniella Diaz.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise clinched the GOP’s nomination for speaker of the house Wednesday. But that doesn’t mean it’s a sure thing from here: Not long after, members of his own party began coming out of the woodwork to say they would not back the Louisiana congressman’s run for the gavel. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade explains why those in Scalise’s corner say there’s no reason to give up now, even when Scalise can only lose four Republican votes.

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Republicans will cast blind ballots for the person they want to be nominated to assume the Speaker of the House role left vacant after Kevin McCarthy’s ousting last month. In one scenario, things could proceed simply with the Representative who receives the most votes seamlessly assuming the gavel in due time. But, a last minute a push for a rules change to try to raise the threshold to win could complicate the process tremendously, Playbook co-author Rachael Bade explains.