Scalise and Jordan emerge as contenders to lead House Republicans in minority

House Republicans are preparing for a leadership contest after losing their majority, with Mike Johnson saying he will not seek the top post next year. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan, both close allies of Donald Trump, are among the possible contenders, while some Republicans argue the leadership team should be held responsible for the election losses.

The party is expected to become the House minority when Democrats take control in January, with Hakeem Jeffries expected to become Speaker and committees shifting to Democratic control. That gives the next Republican leader the task of uniting a diminished caucus while preparing for investigations into the Trump administration and its allies; some Republicans attribute the losses partly to the war and its political effects.