hello, i'm carl nasman and welcome to this bbc special look at the us house speaker's race. as we head into the weekend here in washington, many in political circles are still catching their breath after a whirlwind week while bracing for what's to come. in particular, the discussion is over which of these men — congressmanjimjordan of ohio on the left or steve scalise of lousiana on the right — has the best chance to take over the house speaker's chair. they have both announced their bids and are seen as the front—runners but with a fractured republican caucus, neither is by any means a sure thing. they are looking to replace this man, kevin mccarthy of california, who was ousted after nine months on the job. it happened during a dramatic vote on tuesday.

the office of speaker of the house of the united states house of the united states house of the united states house of representatives is hereby declared vacant. mccarthy's cardinal sin, say his critics, was working with president biden and the democrats on a last—minute budget agreement to avoid a goernment shutdown last weekend. let's take a closer look at the lawmakers who want to take his place. jim jordan of ohio was first elected to congress in 2007. on friday morning, his bid got a major boost. former president donald trump wrote on truth social: jordan is one of trump's biggest congressional allies, receiving the presidential medal of freedom from trump in a closed—door ceremonyjust days afterjanuary sixth capitol riot in 2021. jordan currently chairs the housejudiciary committee, where he launched several investigations

into president biden, his son hunter and the fbi. he is also a founder and former chairman of the ultraconservative house freedom caucus and was among more than 100 republicans who voted against $300 million in aid for ukraine. then there's steve scalise of louisiana. as majority leader, he's the number—two ranking republican in the house of representatives, elected to congress in 2008. the 57—year—old announced in august. he was undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. and in 2017, scalise was gravely wounded during a shooting targeting republican members during a baseball practice in virginia. on ukraine, scalise joined more than 300 other members of congress voting to approve $300 million in aid to ukraine last week. joining me now is congressional reporterfor politco, anthony adragna. he's here to help us break down

this very busy week and presumably another busy week to come. we've been hearing about the top two candidates, jim jordan and steve scalise. do you have a sense of which one might have the most support among republicans in the house? i think certainly, as you were alluding to, the fact that president trump has weighed in on behalf of congressman jordan, it's going to be a major boon for his candidacy, but i think the challenge right now for any candidates for speaker is trying to get to 18. still at this point we don't see anyone with a clear path to get the support they will need to win over the entirety of the republican conference, let alone enough to win a vote on the house floor so this race remains very fluid and there is nobody who will have sufficient support locked up at this point. support locked up at this oint. �* , support locked up at this oint, �* , ., support locked up at this oint. �* , ., , point. as we saw on tuesday “ust a point. as we saw on tuesday just a small _ point. as we saw on tuesday just a small group _ point. as we saw on tuesday just a small group of - just a small group of republicans to oust the last

speaker. when comes on top of this race, how vulnerable do you think they might to something similar happening in terms of a challenge to their power? i5 terms of a challenge to their ower? , ., ., terms of a challenge to their ower? , . ., , ., ., power? is a great question and one of the _ power? is a great question and one of the main _ power? is a great question and one of the main ones _ power? is a great question and one of the main ones we - power? is a great question and one of the main ones we will. one of the main ones we will have to see answer before anyone emerges from this contest. there are a number of members of the republican conference who feel really raw emotions from what happened on tuesday, they think kevin mccarthy was poorly treated by having this mechanism in place which allows anyone member to force a vote to expel the speaker. obviously congressman matt gates lead that pushed successfully this week, and there are dozens of republicans that want to see changed to that want to see changed to that threshold to make it at least more than one person. many would like to see a majority of republican conference needed to trigger a similar boat in the future, so i think that's one of the key questions we will have to see answered by the republicans

before they will pick the person that will lead them. internally, what sort of changes need to be made to make whoever comes next less vulnerable to a lot of these challenges.— vulnerable to a lot of these challenges. some observers think this — challenges. some observers think this could _ challenges. some observers think this could be - challenges. some observers think this could be a - challenges. some observers think this could be a very i think this could be a very drawnout contest here to decide who the next speaker of the house might be. how without delay affects all the business, that the house means to get done? the ukraine funding bill, several different bills that would be needed to keep the government open beyond mid—november? government open beyond mid-november?- government open beyond mid-november? another great . uestion mid-november? another great question and — mid-november? another great question and it _ mid-november? another great question and it all _ mid-november? another great question and it all depends - mid-november? another great question and it all depends on | question and it all depends on how long this process takes, there are many people who think it could take the better part of a month, congressjust passed a short—term resolution that extended funding into mid—november but if the speaker takes a protracted period of time, it could be harderfor the house to command and weigh in as they want on how to keep

the government funded. ukraine is obviously a big part of that as well. i think there is no question that speaker mccarthy being booted earlier this week will make it harder and harder, it was probably already difficult to get additional ukraine funding approved this year, there is no question in my mind that that action this week will make it all the more difficult to get additional funding approved. the house republican conference is not super amenable right now to proving additional aid, certainly without major conditions, and the fact that there is so much uncertainty around the leadership right now i think only adds to that sense of uncertainty moving forward with regards —— regards to ukraine in particular. with regards -- regards to ukraine in particular. what about the _ ukraine in particular. what about the democrats, - ukraine in particular. what. about the democrats, funding for ukraine are something high on their agenda. could they be making kingmaker here? we saw the entire caucus line up to oust kevin mccarthy. other any candidates that the democrats

might support? 5 candidates that the democrats might support?— might support? '5 democrats have been — might support? '5 democrats have been united _ might support? '5 democrats have been united so - might support? '5 democrats have been united so far- might support? '5 democrats have been united so far in - have been united so far in voting to send speaker mccarthy out of the speakership, they have been united around jefferies, their leader, i would not expect that to change here. they may try to exact certain concessions from the republican speaker candidate in exchange for votes, they may try, i don't think there will be successful in that regard. i think both parties are pretty dug in here, and certainly polarisation in washington has never been greater, the fact that you are seeing such a narrowly divided house, having booted a speaker that had the support of more than 95% of the conference is pretty indicative of that, and so i don't expect, for worse or better, the bipartisanship to open up anytime soon. it bipartisanship to open up anytime soon.— bipartisanship to open up anytime soon. bipartisanship to open up an imesoon. , ., anytime soon. it should be an interesting — anytime soon. it should be an interesting week. _ anytime soon. it should be an interesting week. thank - anytime soon. it should be an interesting week. thank you | anytime soon. it should be an. interesting week. thank you so much for your time.

before we go much further, let's lay out what exactly the speaker does, and why thejob is so important. the speaker runs the house of representatives and its 435 members. that means overseeing the daily business of the chamber and setting the voting agenda. traditionally, they are the leader of the largest party in the house. currently, the republicans have more seats than the democrats by a count of 221 to 212, with two seats vacant. and the speaker is second—in—line to the presidency, after the vice president. so, it's hardly a symbolic post — it wields real power. one of those who will have a say in selecting the next speaker of the house is mike lawler, republican congressman from new york. i spoke with him a short time ago. congressman, thank you so much for being here. i want to start with the former president donald trump, we are hearing now he has endorsed jim jordan

in this speaker �*s race. what is your reaction to that and how might his endorsement affect this race?— affect this race? ultimately this will be _ affect this race? ultimately this will be a _ affect this race? ultimately this will be a decision - affect this race? ultimately| this will be a decision made affect this race? ultimately i this will be a decision made by the conference, and the conference alone, the former president is certainly entitled to offer his opinion on it, but i think the conference is going to be getting together on monday for what is going to be i think a rather long and blunt discussion about how we move forward, and then obviously the focus will turn to the speaker's race, and selecting a candidate who can receive 218 votes on the house floor. you voted of _ votes on the house floor. you voted of course _ votes on the house floor. you voted of course to _ votes on the house floor. you voted of course to support former speaker kevin mccarthy. will you now votes to support either of these two top candidates, eitherjimjordan candidates, eitherjim jordan or steve candidates, eitherjimjordan or steve scalise? i candidates, eitherjim jordan or steve scalise?— or steve scalise? i have not decided who _ or steve scalise? i have not decided who i _ or steve scalise? i have not decided who i will _ or steve scalise? i have not decided who i will be - decided who i will be

supporting. i'm looking forward to the discussion, i think there's a lot of questions that need to be answered for whoever the next speaker is, and in large part how we are going to effectively govern as a majority. what happened last week was disgusting, it was unnecessary and torpedoed our very majority and put a lot of it in jeopardy very majority and put a lot of it injeopardy going very majority and put a lot of it in jeopardy going forward, frankly, and so i think there needs to be a real reckoning within the conference, and a discussion, and so i have not made any decisions yet as to who i will or won't support, but i think the conversation is necessary to make that determination. has necessary to make that determination.- necessary to make that determination. as it stands ri . ht determination. as it stands right now — determination. as it stands right now one _ determination. as it stands right now one of _ determination. as it stands right now one of the - determination. as it stands right now one of the top . right now one of the top candidates for speaker, jim jordan has voted against nearly every ukrainian aid bill that has been brought to the floor

since the invasion by russia began. how important is it to you that the next speaker of the house supports a new aid package for ukraine? i the house supports a new aid package for ukraine?- package for ukraine? i think obviously — package for ukraine? i think obviously you _ package for ukraine? i think obviously you have - package for ukraine? i think obviously you have the - package for ukraine? i think| obviously you have the white house and the senate aligned on increasing aid to ukraine. the majority of the house in recent votes supported aids to ukraine, so it is clear that this is an issue that will need to be addressed, and whoever the next speaker is is going to have to work with the white house, with the senate and with the house to come to an agreement on the next steps. there is no question that needs to be accountability and transparency, as many of my colleagues has called for, and the white house has to put forth a plan to congress, and identify what the goals and the

objectives are and frankly, what the endgame is ultimately, because this is not something obviously that we can continue in perpetuity, but certainly, i have supported and will continue to support aids to ukraine, ithink continue to support aids to ukraine, i think it's imperative that we hold vladimir putin accountable for his conduct, and i think there are real consequences if ukraine falls, especially in the indo pacific, so there's a lot at stake here, there's a lot at stake here, there's a lot that goes into this and i obviously it's going to require a thorough discussion with whoever the next speaker is. beyond just funding for ukraine, there's lots of work that does need to get out of the house, several appropriations bills that needs to be passed, there is only finding for the government through mid—november. how concerned are you that are drawn out progress to select the new speaker could lead to another government shutdown, bring you up to the brink once

again? bring you up to the brink once auain? ~ bring you up to the brink once aaain? .,, ., _ bring you up to the brink once auain? ., ., again? we obviously avoided the otential again? we obviously avoided the potential of _ again? we obviously avoided the potential of the _ again? we obviously avoided the potential of the shutdown - again? we obviously avoided the potential of the shutdown with l potential of the shutdown with an agreement last saturday, that put a 45 day crm places. the objective is to choose a speaker as quickly as possible so we can get back to focusing on the issues that matter to the american people, starting with obviously our spending, and the appropriations process as well as securing our southern border and dealing with the migrant crisis that has impacted communities all across this country, including in my home state of new york, and so, it's imperative that we have the time and the ability to deal with these issues before november 17, and certainly try to get through the appropriations process. if we run up against the clock, as i said repeatedly, we cannot shut the government down and we would need to consider another

cr, but it is imperative that we get back to work and focused on the issues that matter to the american people. thank you for takin: the american people. thank you for taking the — the american people. thank you for taking the time _ the american people. thank you for taking the time to _ the american people. thank you for taking the time to speak- the american people. thank you for taking the time to speak to l for taking the time to speak to us. so, that's the republican view. let's switch to the democrats now. for that, my colleague sumi somaskanda spoke earlier with congressman raja krishnamoorthi from illinois. congressman, great to have you back on bbc news. it is not yet clear when there will be a vote for the speaker of the house, possibly wednesday, but from what you're hearing and seeing from your republican colleagues across the aisle what do you expect to see next week? i don't know, sumi. i always think that i know is going to happen and then, i'm surprised when things unfold the way they do. on wednesday, i expect we will actually see the balloting and elections, and as some of your viewers might recall, it was a very interesting affair.

—— interesting affair the last time this happened injanuary, i hope it's not as chaotic and it's not the circus that it was back then. so, what do you make of the former president reportedly visiting the capitol on tuesday? i honestly don't know. some people say he is merely going to help unify people ahead of their elections on wednesday, other people think that he's actually thinking about serving as a candidate. and he — i think he put out on truth social that he is supporting jimjordan but he also said, "i'm open to being a unifying candidate". short answer is wherever there is a tv camera — and in this case, whenever there is nojudge presiding on a courtroom — i think donald trump will want to be there, and i suspect he might appear at the capitol. congressman, you mentioned the namejimjordan. he seems to be, at the moment, the favourite to be the next speaker — at least from the republican side. would you democrats consider supporting him? i'm not sure about that, sumi.

jimjordan is basically donald trump's lieutenant in congress. my my big concern is thatjim jordan is potentially going to pursue an agenda to help donald trump's presidential campaign, as opposed to doing what is in the best interests of the american people and coupled with the fact that he has not really come out in favour of ukraine aid or standalone packages for ukraine, i don't think that i could support him. let's talk about ukraine aid. we've talked about ukraine quite a bit in the past, congressman, and the removal of the speaker of the house, highlighted that support for ukraine is withering in the republican party. you have advocated an up or down vote — basically an indirect vote, on the house of representatives for ukraine aid in the past. why would you support such a move? it has very strong support

in the senate, certainly in the senate, and once it passed the house and the senate and gets signed into law, we can't leave ukrainians in the lurch right now. as you know, they are making progress, albeit slowly, in the counteroffensive they launched some months ago. and we can't have a pause right now in the aid as they are pursuing this counteroffensive. we've seen republicans both in the house of representatives and in the senate say they might be willing to consider more aid for ukraine if there was more aid for border policy, border security and tighter border security as well. is that a trade—off that you would be willing to consider? i would consider it. i don't think the two should be necessarily intertwined the way they talk about it. however, we do have a legislative process and if we need to consider that as a counter proposal from them, then i think we should do it. with regard to the southern border, what the department of homeland security has requested is money for more personnel but also technology,

as well as physical barriers. so, i'm not against doing that, providing that type of money, but i don't think they should necessarily be combined with the ukrainian issue, but we'll see how it comes out of the legislative process. congressman, always great to speak with you, forjoining us. as we've been hearing, whoever wins the speaker's role will have a direct impact on us policy towards ukraine. for more i spoke earlier with michael birnbaum, national security reporter at the washington post. thanks for taking the time to speak with us on bbc news. for now, the top two candidates for the new speaker of the house role with steve scalise and jim jordan. went to the two of them stand on the issue of funding for ukraine?— for ukraine? they are on opposite _ for ukraine? they are on opposite sides _ for ukraine? they are on opposite sides and - for ukraine? they are onj opposite sides and that's for ukraine? they are on - opposite sides and that's one of the complicated factors in this broader question of what is going to happen. jimjordan

has, for quite some time now, been a hardliner against furtherfunding for been a hardliner against further funding for ukraine. been a hardliner against furtherfunding for ukraine. he says he wants to turn the spigot off. steve scalise is much more of a traditional republican in terms of these kinds of foreign policy questions. he has expressed openness to re— authorising and extending funding. but he also, evenif extending funding. but he also, even if he wins, he is going to be presiding over a deeply divided republican caucus. some sort of ukraine _ divided republican caucus. some sort of ukraine bill— divided republican caucus. some sort of ukraine bill is _ sort of ukraine bill is definitely very high on priority list for the white house. president biden says he plans to deliver an address about the war in ukraine. beyond that, what is the strategy for the white house in terms of beginning to shape this and get some kind of bill onto the house floor. i this and get some kind of bill onto the house floor.- onto the house floor. i think they are _ onto the house floor. i think they are very _ onto the house floor. i think they are very nervous, - onto the house floor. i think they are very nervous, you | they are very nervous, you know? they feel as though they retain the support of the american public. even looking inside congress, you know, a

majority of — a bipartisan majority of — a bipartisan majority of — a bipartisan majority of congress still support aid for ukraine but just the way the mathworks and the way the house operates, nevertheless this minority of republicans is able to kind of put a halt to the funding. there is some funding that exists. the white house is thinking about other ways to help ukraine, other mechanisms they could use to keep some amount of aid flowing but it's amount of aid flowing but it's a really big problem. they have enoughin a really big problem. they have enough in the short term but you know looking into next year, i think there are deep questions and certainly, it's unnerving the ukrainians and unnerving the ukrainians and unnerving allies and europe and it really is kind of tbd, to be determined, in terms of who ends up as speaker of the house how the white house strategy ends up unfolding. you touched on it but zooming _ ends up unfolding. you touched on it but zooming in _ ends up unfolding. you touched on it but zooming in on - ends up unfolding. you touched on it but zooming in on ukraine| on it but zooming in on ukraine itself for a moment, concerned do you think officials are thereabout this uncertainty

surrounding a new funding bill? they are trying to put on a brave face publicly. they say they are confident in their american partners, they are saying publicly they are not too worried but, you know, president volodymyr zelensky came to washington last month. people who met with him in washington said he appeared much more nervous, kind of rattled now than in previous meetings and he was more nervous at the end of his meeting than at the beginning. i've talked to european policymakers who were recently, this week, in heave meeting with top ukrainians and they said privately, ukrainians are really nervous and upset ——in kyiv. they are very dependent upon american aid and it's unclear how much more is going to be forthcoming.— to be forthcoming. interesting stuff. michael— to be forthcoming. interesting stuff. michael birnbaum, - to be forthcoming. interesting | stuff. michael birnbaum, thank you forjoining us.— you for “oining us. thank you so you forjoining us. thank you so much _ you forjoining us. thank you so much for— you forjoining us. thank you so much for having _ you forjoining us. thank you so much for having me. - let's look now at how

the debate over funding for ukraine is playing out in the country itself. for that, i spoke earlier with ukrainian mp oleksiy goncharenko, who was on the move aboard a train for kyiv. thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us, even as we can see you are in transit. i want to get your reaction first of all to some of the political chaos we've seenin of the political chaos we've seen in washington these past few days and now the uncertainty around new military funding for ukraine. it’s uncertainty around new military funding for ukraine.— funding for ukraine. it's very concerning — funding for ukraine. it's very concerning because - funding for ukraine. it's very concerning because that - funding for ukraine. it's very concerning because that is l funding for ukraine. it's very concerning because that is a| concerning because that is a critical moment. ukraine desperately needs this help and it's an automatic ukraine became a ball in which was a game in the united states and i hope as president biden said and also leaders of the democrats and republicans said that it will be fixed. ijust want to remind you and the us people that it is in the best interest not only of ukraine but of the united states also to support us in this war

because it properly one of the best investment investments in history with 7% of us military budget we've destroyed at least 50% of russian military capacity and russia is the second biggest rival of the united states after china. you are there _ united states after china. you are there in — united states after china. you are there in ukraine _ united states after china. you are there in ukraine and i want to get your perspective. if you military funding does not materialise, how would that affect your country on the battlefield?— affect your country on the battlefield? ~ . ., ., battlefield? we cannot win the war if there — battlefield? we cannot win the war if there is _ battlefield? we cannot win the war if there is no _ battlefield? we cannot win the war if there is no military - war if there is no military support from the united states. we will fight until then because that's essential for us, to be or not to be, but it will be defence. no chance for but without the military surprise. but without the military surprise-— but without the military surprise. but without the military surrise. . , �* , surprise. recently we've seen some of the _ surprise. recently we've seen some of the support, - surprise. recently we've seen l some of the support, especially among republicans, forfunding among republicans, for funding to among republicans, forfunding to ukraine beginning to waver a little bit. what is your reaction to some of the lawmakers or republicans in congress who say simply the country cannot afford to keep issuing what they call a blank

cheque to ukraine. it’s issuing what they call a blank cheque to ukraine.— cheque to ukraine. it's not true. it cheque to ukraine. it's not true- it is _ cheque to ukraine. it's not true. it is not _ cheque to ukraine. it's not true. it is not a _ cheque to ukraine. it's not true. it is not a blank- cheque to ukraine. it's not. true. it is not a blank cheque. there is control in the united states about the support and again, this isjust several % of us military budget. in automatic the ground and if united states could not afford now to help us financially and militarily, sooner or later the united states will lose the lives of their soldiers and officers from the often microphone russian army. alexa goncharenko, _ microphone russian army. alexa goncharenko, on _ microphone russian army. alexa goncharenko, on the _ microphone russian army. alexa goncharenko, on the train - goncharenko, on the train there, thank is a must for joining us. there, thank is a must for joining us-_ and before we go, let's look at what comes next in the race for the house speaker. early next week, monday or tuesday — or both — republicans are expected to discuss among themselves a possible replacement to mccarthy. then they're expected to have an election on wednesday. the vote will be held via secret ballot and the nominee must receive a majority of republican members' votes. then, at some point after that, the matter heads to the full house for a vote. the winner needs a majority, so 218 votes in favour, to win the speaker's gavel. remember, it took 15 rounds for mccarthy to win last time around, so stay tuned.

that's all for this special look at the us house speaker's race, thank you for watching. i'll be back in 30 minutes with the latest headlines. stay with us here on bbc news hello. this weekend is going to bring us some huge weather contrasts. many parts of the uk is going to be an exceptionally warm weekend for october. the warm weekend for october. the warm air will push up from the south around this area of high pressure but cold air digging down from the north and along the battleground between those two air masses, and active and slow—moving weather front which is going to bring heavy and persistent range of parts of scotland, have this met office amber warning, the potential that some places could see

close to 180 millimetres of rain, especially up over higher ground. certainly enough rain across the warning area to give some issues with flooding and travel disruption. as you can see, a wet start to saturday across many parts of scotland and the band of rain very slow moving through the day. whereas for northern ireland, western parts of england and wales, a bit of a murky starter should tend to lift unclear to give spells of sunshine and certainly central and eastern parts of england seeing them spells of hazy sunshine through the day but all the while the rain continues across the central and some northern parts of scotland where it will feel decidedly chilly, just nine degrees in aberdeen compare that with 2a or 25 degrees across parts of south east england. during saturday night, the rain continues. i think the heaviest rain will tend to pull northwards across scotland, something a little bit drier developing for some of the central and southern parts. further south, some clear spells, will be some missed and fun patches too. a mild night for many but cold in the far north of scotland, particularly shetland, just to the north of

this weather front as we head into sunday, this fund will still be plaguing some northern parts of the uk but the heaviest rain this time will be across the far north of scotland and into orkney. further south, just that little bit drier. and for northern ireland, england and wales in early mist and fog attend weekly, each of them are given some coasts we will see some spells of sunshine. not quite as warm on sunday, still up to 23 degrees. 12 for stornoway and for aberdeen. the new week starts on a wall mode, particularly down to the south, but as we head through the middle part of the week, this active weather front is that the push southwards and it will introduce north—westerly winds and something more typical, really, for this time of year, so temperatures by the end of the coming week back down closer to where we would expect them to be at this time of year.

this is bbc news. will have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme.

this week, we are looking at the drive for electric cars. laura visits the bentley factory to find out how they are making the shift to electric. are making the shift to electric— are making the shift to electric. , ., , ~ ., , ., electric. james mead is a community _ electric. james mead is a community divided - electric. james mead is a community divided by . electric. james mead is a - community divided by lithium mining. community divided by lithium mininu. , ., community divided by lithium mininu. ,., . mining. this one patch in the middle, that's _ mining. this one patch in the middle, that's the _ mining. this one patch in the middle, that's the only - mining. this one patch in the | middle, that's the only player not clean _ middle, that's the only player not clean dry now and that's really — not clean dry now and that's really scary. not clean dry now and that's really scary-— not clean dry now and that's really scary. and alastair test drives the _ really scary. and alastair test drives the brain _ really scary. and alastair test drives the brain scanning - really scary. and alastair test drives the brain scanning tax | drives the brain scanning tax that may improve the performance of racing drivers. we have seen something just about— we have seen something just about average, just above average _ about average, “ust above average. i've got a very average _ average. i've got a very average brain. - average. i've got a very average brain. over- average. i've got a very| average brain. over half average. i've got a very i average brain. over half of average. i've got a very - average brain. over half of the uk's transport _ average brain. over half of the uk's transport emissions - average brain. over half of the | uk's transport emissions come from cars, so to help me climate targets the government had banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, although that has now been pushed back to 2035. even with a few extra years added, this is still a huge change for

car owners and makers, some