New Speaker Johnson projects unity, expects 'aggressive' schedule

Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Dan Meuser told reporters outside the candidate forum Monday night that he is dropping out of the speaker's race.

"I came in late and have other commitments I want to adhere to," Meuser said.

Meuser said he's helping former President Trump's 2024 campaign in Pennsylvania.

There are now eight candidates running for House speaker.

Meuser said he hasn't decided who he will endorse in the speaker's race.

"If it keeps up any longer, I think it will," Meuser said when asked if the inability to elect a speaker will cost the Republicans the House majority.

-ABC News' Lauren Peller, Rachel Scott and Ben Siegel

There are nine candidates for speaker. Here's how they have voted in the past on key issues.

OBJECTED TO CERTIFYING 2020 ELECTION
Jack Bergman (MI)
Byron Donalds (FL)
Kevin Hern (OK)
Mike Johnson (LA)
Dan Meuser (PA)
Gary Palmer (AL)
Pete Sessions (TX)

CERTIFIED THE 2020 ELECTION
Tom Emmer (MN)
Austin Scott (GA)
-Both members signed onto the Texas lawsuit seeking to throw out votes in key swing states

HAVE REPEATEDLY VOTED AGAINST UKRAINE AID
Byron Donalds (FL)
Mike Johnson (LA)
Kevin Hern (OK)
Pete Sessions (TX)
-But most of the candidates have reservations about additional funding to Ukraine.

SUPPORTED PROTECTIONS FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Tom Emmer (MN)

OPPOSED PROTECTIONS FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Jack Bergman (MI)
Byron Donalds (FL)
Kevin Hern (OK)
Mike Johnson (LA)
Dan Meuser (PA)
Gary Palmer (AL)
Pete Sessions (TX)
Austin Scott (GA)

SUPPORTED RECENT GOVERNMENT FUNDING SHORT-TERM BILL
Tom Emmer (MN)
Jack Bergman (MI)
Dan Meuser (PA)
Austin Scott (GA)
Pete Sessions (TX)

OPPOSED RECENT GOVERNMENT FUNDING SHORT-TERM BILL
Kevin Hern (OK)
Mike Johnson (LA)
Byron Donalds (FL) missed the vote

HAVE EXPLICITLY ENDORSED TRUMP'S 2024 BID
Byron Donalds (FL)
Gary Palmer (AL)
Pete Sessions (TX)
Jack Bergman (MI)
Dan Meuser (PA)
-Others are supportive of Trump's bid

-ABC's Rachel Scott, Jay O'Brien, Benjamin Siegel

Nine Republicans are officially running for speaker after almost three weeks of chaos without a leader in the House. Now the candidates for speaker include: Reps. Jack Bergman of Michigan, Byron Donalds of Florida, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania, Gary Palmer of Alabama, Austin Scott of Georgia and Pete Sessions of Texas.

House Republicans will hear from each candidate in a closed-door forum on Monday night.

Read more about each candidate here.

5:01

9 Republicans vying to become speaker amid historic gridlock in Congress

House Republicans will hear from each candidate behind closed doors before voting to select a nominee.

ABCNews.com

Former President Donald Trump has spoken to several of the candidates for speaker of the House including Reps. Tom Emmer, Kevin Hern, Pete Sessions and Byron Donalds, multiple sources tell ABC News.

While Trump insisted, he has "always" gotten along with Emmer, sources say the former president has privately told allies he does not support him. Trump has not endorsed Emmer for the top job in the House.

Emmer is one of two Republicans running for speaker who voted to certify the 2020 election results. Trump allies -- including Steve Bannon -- have called on Republicans to "take out Emmer."

So does Trump's endorsement have any weight behind it?

He supported Kevin McCarthy -- McCarthy was ousted. He supported Jim Jordan -- Jordan couldn't get enough support.

That's not a great track record so far. But in a bitterly divided conference, it doesn't help to have prominent right-wing figures attacking you with the former president's blessing either.

-ABC's Rachel Scott, Jay O'Brien, Benjamin Siegel