Longtime GOP leader faces uncertain future after Jim Jordan wins House leadership fight

Steve Scalise has not decided whether he will remain in Congress after losing the race to become House Republicans’ minority leader. The defeat leaves the longtime party leader weighing retirement against staying in the House as a rank-and-file member, while Democrats are set to take control in January.

Jim Jordan beat Scalise 106-73 in Tuesday’s Republican leadership vote. Scalise, elected in 2008 and part of party leadership since 2014, said he still has “a lot more gas in the tank” and is focused on Republican priorities during the remaining weeks of the current session. The 120th Congress begins on 3 January 2027.