The Speakership in the U.S. House of Representatives remains vacant, but could ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy actually get that job back?
It's not outside the realm of possibility.
In the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel, the need for a House Speaker has greatly increased to help lead U.S. response to the crisis.
McCarthy seems at least open to the idea of becoming House Speaker again if another representative fails to win the votes.
"Whether I'm speaker or not... I can lead in any position I'm in," he said at the Capitol on Monday, per the Associated Press. "Whatever the conference wants, I will do."
Congressman Mike Lawler of New York is pushing for McCarthy to be reinstated as speaker, saying the potential speaker candidates don't have enough support.
"Does anybody have the votes? No," he said, per the AP.
House members, led by far-right members of the Republican Party, ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California) from the speakership in a historic move last week.
Two representatives have expressed intentions to succeed McCarthy: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH).
Although the GOP holds the majority in the House, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark said her caucus would support House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to fill the spot.
To secure the GOP's nomination for speaker, a candidate needs to earn the support of 51% of the conference, or 217 votes. At this point with no obvious front-runner, it's not clear if any candidate can secure the required support.
House Republicans are set to begin the vote for McCarthy's replacement on Oct. 11. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) is currently serving as Speaker pro tempore until an election is completed.