New Congress live updates: What's next after Kevin McCarthy's speakership win

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., McCarthy's No. 2, slammed McCarthy's critics as obstructionists to legislative efforts to tackle issues like immigration and energy reserves.

"We all came here to get things done. To get big things done. To solve the problems. And I hope when we get through today that all the members on both sides of the aisle will get together to solve the problems," he said when nominating McCarthy before the third round of voting.

However, he said, "we can't start fixing those problems until we elect Kevin McCarthy" as speaker.

Scalise's speech came after Jordan nominated McCarthy. Both men have been floated as potential alternatives if McCarthy is unable to win the majority needed to clinch the speakership.

ABC News’ Ben Siegel, on the House floor, spotted Steve Scalise seemingly drafting a nomination speech for Kevin McCarthy.

This would mark another twist as Republicans still struggle to coalesce around any single candidate.

After two failed votes to select a House speaker on Capitol Hill, the White House said it is "certainly not going to insert ourselves" into that process but are
"looking forward to working" with the new Republican-controlled House.

Asked by ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Mary Bruce what the president wants to work on with Republicans once the House GOP leadership is in place, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre didn't offer any specifics on what policies it wants to be first on the agenda.

"He's willing to work with Republicans who are willing to continue to deliver for the American people," she said. "He is very optimistic on what lies ahead and how we are going to move our country forward."

And when asked whether it may be more difficult to work with Republicans after the ongoing leadership fight, Jean-Pierre repeated President Joe Biden's optimism and noted bipartisan legislation that was passed in his first two years.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez

Right after Rep. Jim Jordan spoke on the House floor following the first vote -- to support McCarthy in the next round -- Rep. Matt Gaetz turned the tables and enthusiastically nominated Jordan to be speaker.

But Jordan told ABC News afterward that he told Matt Gaetz not to nominate him. Jordan would go on to pick up 19 votes in the second ballot.

Gaetz had said weeks ago he thought Jordan would be a good choice for speaker.

-ABC News’ Will Steakin and Katherine Faulders