Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) has emerged as one of the top two contenders for the vacant position of Speaker of the House. The 58 year old Louisiana Congressman began quietly whipping votes for the top job just moments after McCarthy was ousted by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). The case for a Scalise speakership centers on his decades of political experience, quick ascent through Republican House leadership ranks, and the compelling fact he has literally had to battle for his life, twice.
Known for being a Member that works quietly behind to the scenes to advance legislation, it surprised some that Scalise played a fairly major role in Republican Congressional pushback against Big Tech. According to Nathan Leamer, a Trump administration appointee who served as a senior advisor to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, Scalise was quick to work with conservatives who were concerned Google was throttling political fundraising and activist emails.
“Steve Scalise was ground zero of the effort to push back against Google censoring Republican emails,” Leamer told The National Pulse, while indicating Scalise allowed conservative tech experts to examine his own email data, noting that it was “extremely helpful in holding Google accountable.”
Some have reservations, however. Notably, former President Donald Trump has endorsed Scalise’s opponent, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). Members of Republican Leadership often have to take hard votes that can upset both more conservative Members and voters alike. Votes to support government omnibus bills and continuing resolutions over the past years have resulted in Scalise only attaining a 75 out of 100 ‘Conservative’ life-time score from Heritage Action. Similarly, NumbersUSA says Scalise’s voting record on curbing mass immigration has only earned him a “B” grade.