New Speaker Johnson projects unity, expects 'aggressive' schedule

Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern, whose name was previously floated for the job, told ABC News he will run for speaker at the candidate forum. Hern has served since 2018 and is the chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative group in the House.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., when leaving the conference meeting told reporters it was "too soon" to say whether he would put his name forward. But three House Republicans have told ABC News that Emmer is making calls soliciting support for a bid.

Several other Republicans have thrown their hats into the ring: Florida's Byron Donalds, one of four Black House Republicans; Texas' Pete Sessions, the longest-tenured lawmaker to enter the race so far; Michigan's Jack Bergman, is a retired lieutenant general who served decades in the Marine Corps; Louisiana's Mike Johnson, the House Republican vice conference chair; and Georgia's Austin Scott, who sits seats on the Agriculture, Armed Services and the Intelligence committees.

-ABC's John Parkinson

Republicans are back to square one when it comes to finding a new speaker.

The House will have no further votes Friday or this weekend. Republicans plan to hold a candidate forum on Monday at 6:30 p.m. and a secret ballot vote on Tuesday morning with the hopes of bringing a candidate to the House floor on Tuesday afternoon.

"The reason why I made that decision is we need space and time for candidates to talk to other members," said Rep. Patrick McHenry, the temporary speaker. "It's fair to say that Leader Scalise wasn't given adequate time to campaign -- he was given 24 hours to campaign. I don't think that was right for him. Our nominee Jordan was given a little more time. Not right for him,."

-ABC's Lauren Peller

Jim Jordan, in brief remarks, said it's time for House Republicans to find consensus and that whoever becomes their next speaker pick will have his support.

"We need to come together and figure out who our speaker is going to be," Jordan said. "I'm going to work as hard as I can to help that individual so that we can go help the American people."

Jordan looked forward to returning to his role as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, telling reporters he has several depositions lined up next week.

"It's important we do unite. Let's figure out who that individual is, get behind him and get to work for the American people," Jordan concluded.

"Unfortunately, Jim is no longer going to be the nominee," former Speaker Kevin McCarthy said as he was leaving the conference. "We will have to go back to the drawing board."

McCarthy blamed the "Crazy Eights" who led his ouster for the chaos they've wreaked on the Republican Party and the country.

"I've never seen this amount of damage done … it's astonishing to me," he said.

"We are in a very bad position as a party, one that has won the majority, one that America has entrusted us with," McCarthy continued. "Eight people have put us in this place."

McCarthy didn't endorse a new nominee or say whether he would re-enter the race.

-ABC's John Parkinson