The chaos on Capitol Hill continued Friday as Republicans spent a second unnerving day scrambling to find a new candidate for House speaker, with Rep. Paul Ryan now reportedly mulling the job.
The fast-moving political drama began as Rep. Darrell Issa of California said Friday he may enter the race, following the shock announcement on Thursday by Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California that he doesn't want the job.
But Issa said all eyes continue to be on Rep. Paul Ryan, the House Ways and Means Chairman and Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential running mate.
"A lot of people are still urging [Ryan]," Issa told
CNBC's "Squawk Box.
Ryan has repeatedly said he's not interested, but
The Washington Post reported Friday, that he is now "seriously considering" going for the job and "consulting his wife, Janna," about it, following intense pressure from fellow Republicans.
Ryan should make a definitive decision "soon," GOP sources told The Post.
CNN reports that Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, said Ryan told some members on the House floor that he's reconsidering.
Stewart said he urged Ryan to run, with the Wisconsin Republican saying that he was "thinking and praying on it."
Meanwhile, Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, who is seeking the position, said he will withdraw from the race if Ryan decides to reverse course and run.
"I would not run against Paul Ryan," Chaffetz told reporters at the conclusion of a private meeting of House Republicans.
Also remaining in the race is Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida, who is being backed by the House Freedom Caucus, the influential group of GOP conservatives.
Also on Friday, Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump weighed in on the GOP mess, saying a "very much tougher voice" is needed in the speaker’s seat.
"There's so many things the Republicans could do if they knew how to negotiate and had some unity," Trump told
MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program.
"So many times you'll have people out there but they have no backing from the rest of the party."
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