After the historic removal of Kevin McCarthy as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the race for the post is taking shape. Yesterday, Steve Scalise, long considered the heir apparent to McCarthy; and Jim Jordan, who has led investigations against the Biden administration, said they would seek the post. Scalise is reportedly seen as more conservative than McCarthy within the Republican Party. Jordan, who first gained prominence as the leader of the party's right wing, has been a vocal supporter of the former President Donald Trump.

McCarthy's removal was driven by eight Republican opponents, who were against working with the Democrats on funding the government. His ouster has cast dark clouds over America’s backing for Ukraine. No provision was made for fresh aid to Kyiv in the weekend deal that followed McCarthy's removal. The Biden administration’s request for $24 billion-fresh military aid, submitted to Congress in the summer, is also in limbo.