- [Narrator] The race to be the next speaker of the House
is down to these two.
Jim Jordan is known for being a fiery attack dog
in his committees.
- I don't want you to answer my question.
The American people want Dr. Fauci to answer the question.
- [Narrator] And being a frequent voice on "Fox News."
- The left is, you know, their religion is climate change.
- [Narrator] Steve Scalise,
while he spends less time in the spotlight,
became a national figure after being shot
practicing for the congressional baseball game in 2017.
- Both Republican and Democrat reached out.
It really does show the warm side of Congress
that very few people get to see.
- [Narrator] And is popular in his party
for his career and leadership,
building consensus among members.
Here's how these two charted a course to the speakers race,
and how they represent two different paths
for the future of House Republicans.
Jordan actually got his first vote for speaker back in 2013.
- [Reading Clerk] Jordan of Ohio.
- [Narrator] It was more of a protest vote
against then Speaker John Boehner
as were the two votes he got again two years later.
- Jordan. Jordan.
- [Narrator] That year, the majority leader
lost his election and Kevin McCarthy moved up from whip
to the number two position,
and a new face joined the leadership, Scalise.
- We're gonna continue to move forward in the House
as a united team.
- [Narrator] At the same time, Jordan co-founded
the anti-establishment House Freedom Caucus,
made up of more conservative members of the House
angry Republican priorities
were not making it into negotiations
with the Democratic White House and Senate.
They ultimately pushed Boehner to resign that fall.
- Well, are they unrealistic
about what can be done in government?
That's the dysfunction.
- Absolutely, they're unrealistic.
- [Narrator] Jordan's caucus
also blocked McCarthy from moving up,
electing Paul Ryan after forcing McCarthy to drop out.
- I think I shocked some of you, huh.
- [Narrator] And Jordan later challenged McCarthy
for the role of leader.
He lost.
So when the speakership opened up again,
McCarthy moved up, but not without some protest votes.
- Jim Jordan.
- [Reading Clerk] Jordan.
- [Narrator] And Scalise moved up to leader.
- As the majority leader,
I really look forward to bringing those bills to the floor
through a committee process that's open again.
- [Narrator] But while their paths
to the speaker battle have differed,
their backgrounds are remarkably similar.
They both represent their hometowns
and win reelection easily.
They both started their political careers at the same time
and around the same age
as state representatives and eventually senators
before becoming Congressmen also around the same time.
Politically, they're both very conservative
and both supported Trump's efforts
to overturn the 2020 election.
- Do you think the election was stolen?
- And it's not just irregular.
It's states that did not follow the laws set
which the Constitution says they're supposed to follow.
- 80 million Americans, 80 million of our fellow citizens,
Republicans and Democrats, have doubts about this election.
- [Narrator] Although Jordan is much closer
to Trump personally.
- There's so many weak Republicans, and we have great ones.
Jim Jordan and some of these guys,
they're out there fighting, the House guys are fighting.
- [Narrator] January 6th wasn't Jordan's
first brush with controversy.
In 2018, former Ohio State University students
from Jordan's time as an assistant wrestling coach
claimed he knew about sexual abuse by the team doctor,
but Jordan has denied this.
While they have a lot in common,
the primary difference between the two
is in their beliefs of how to utilize
their slim Republican majority in Congress.
Scalise is pitching himself as the one
with the experience and personal relationships
from his time in leadership to bring party members together.
- I've got a long proven record
as somebody who knows how to unify Republicans
to fight on the battles that matter
for the families who gave us this majority.
- [Narrator] Although he's currently battling
a blood cancer he says is very treatable.
- If the doctors didn't sign off, I wouldn't be doing this.
- [Narrator] Jordan, however, is pitching himself
as the person who could unite
the more far right members of the party
who are frustrated Republican priorities
are again left out of negotiations.
- I do think we have to have someone
who can bring our team together.
I think I'm best equipped to do that.
- [Narrator] So House Republicans will have to decide.
Do they finally give the rebel a try
or stick with the established successor?
(gentle music)