Israel-Hamas war intensifies GOP pressure for House speaker selection

The recent Israel-Hamas conflict has intensified pressure on Republicans to select a replacement for Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House of Representatives. The paralysis in the House could complicate U.S. efforts to support Israel, according to a senior Biden administration official. McCarthy was ousted by conservative Republicans last week, and GOP lawmakers are struggling to coalesce around a replacement. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan are viewed as the top candidates. House Republicans are expected to vote for a new speaker on Wednesday, and Democrats are urging Republicans to settle on a candidate who can win 217 votes in the closely divided House.