Multiple Republican lawmakers are throwing their hats in ring for the top GOP spot on the House Oversight and Reform Committee, a powerful position that will soon be vacant with the departure of Rep. Mark Meadows Mark Randall MeadowsTrump reacts to Ginsburg's death: 'An amazing woman who led an amazing life' Trump carries on with rally, unaware of Ginsburg's death United Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE (R-N.C.).

Top contenders to succeed Meadows, who will be President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE’s new White House chief of staff, include Reps. James ComerJames (Jamie) R. ComerHouse panel advances bill to ban Postal Service leaders from holding political positions House Republicans investigating California secretary of state's contract with Biden-linked firm GOP lawmakers want answers from Disney on Mulan, China MORE (Ky.) and Jody Hice Jody Brownlow HicePelosi must go — the House is in dire need of new leadership House Republicans investigating California secretary of state's contract with Biden-linked firm GOP lawmakers want answers from Disney on Mulan, China MORE (Ga.), as well as freshmen Reps. Kelly Armstrong (N.D.) and Mark Green Mark GreenGOP lawmakers want answers from Disney on Mulan, China House GOP Steering Committee selects four members for new committee positions Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese hackers accused of targeting COVID-19 research | House votes to ban TikTok on government devices MORE (Tenn.).

Rep. Chip RoyCharles (Chip) Eugene RoyPelosi must go — the House is in dire need of new leadership GOP lawmakers want answers from Disney on Mulan, China Freedom Caucus member Chip Roy touts bipartisanship in first campaign ad MORE (Texas), a firebrand conservative freshman, is also eyeing the role.

ADVERTISEMENT

But two sources say House GOP leaders are also considering a different route: picking a placeholder who could finish out the year before making a decision on who will hold the spot for the long term.

While Armstrong and Green appear to be widely liked by GOP leadership, there is some reluctance to pick a freshman for such a high-profile role. Picking a ranking member for the short term, however, would give a freshman lawmaker close to a full year under their belt before vying for the post.

Members like Reps. Gary Palmer Gary James PalmerComer tapped to serve as top Republican on House Oversight Top GOP post on Oversight draws stiff competition Trump takes pulse of GOP on Alabama Senate race MORE (Ala.) and retiring Rep. Mark Walker Bradley (Mark) Mark WalkerMike Johnson to run for vice chairman of House GOP conference The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Woodward book revelations rock Washington The Hill's 12:30 Report — Presented by Facebook — Trump, Biden duel in final stretch | Vaccine trial on pause after recipient's 'potentially unexplained illness' | Biden visits Michigan | Trump campaign has 18 events in 11 states planned in the next week MORE (N.C.), both members of the GOP leadership team, have been floated as possible picks, but it is unclear whether there is a front-runner for the role.

"The theory would be they either open it up for [Comer, Hice, Armstrong and Green] and let them compete for it now, or put a placeholder in or just let somebody take it now,” said one senior source familiar with the discussions, noting that Palmer could take the helm of the panel.

Whoever lands the role will be taking over a position that Meadows was only recently voted into by the GOP Steering Committee. That move came after Rep. Jim Jordan James (Jim) Daniel JordanHouse passes resolution condemning anti-Asian discrimination relating to coronavirus Republicans call for Judiciary hearing into unrest in cities run by Democrats Trump, GOP seek to rebut Democratic narrative on night one MORE (R-Ohio) was shifted over to the Judiciary Committee to serve as ranking member.

Plans for Meadows to lead Republicans on the Oversight panel, a role he had long eyed, were thrown into a tailspin earlier this month when Trump announced that his House ally would replace Mick Mulvaney Mick MulvaneyMick Mulvaney to start hedge fund Fauci says positive White House task force reports don't always match what he hears on the ground Bottom line MORE and serve as his new chief of staff, just days before the North Carolina Republican was set to start as ranking member on the panel.

ADVERTISEMENT

That prompted an ambitious group of Oversight members to let it be known that they’re eager for the top role.

Comer told The Hill that he has been “encouraged” to look at the ranking member position and that he is “gauging the level of support” he would have with the Steering Committee, which consists of top Republican lawmakers and is tasked with determining committee assignments.

“I am very interested in it. I'm just going around meeting individually with people on the Steering Committee and leadership to gauge support and we'll make a decision very soon but right now things look good,” Comer said, adding that he is “testing the waters.”

Armstrong, who previously worked as a lawyer and was described by other GOP lawmakers as a bright, up-and-coming member, also said he would be interested if leaders hold an election.

“If we are going to have an election for the position, I will be considering it going forward,” Armstrong told The Hill.

Green, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who is also viewed by leadership as a rising star, told The Hill he is “running” for the post.

In conversations with multiple GOP lawmakers familiar with the discussions, members offered competing views on who could land the role.

“If I were to bet, I'd put money on Comer because he's been a loyal, quiet guy. He got passed over for other stuff, it's his time to take a shot,” one GOP lawmaker said. “And as a freshman, that's too big a job. You're not gonna give it to them. You'd have revolt," the member added with a laugh.

But Rep. Patrick McHenry Patrick Timothy McHenryCheney battle raises questions about House GOP's future Hillicon Valley: Democrats request counterintelligence briefing | New pressure for election funding | Republicans urge retaliation against Chinese hackers House Republicans urge Trump to take action against Chinese hackers targeting coronavirus research MORE (R-N.C.), a member of the Steering Committee, said freshmen shouldn’t be ruled out.

“Lots of interest for the slot, great competition. And the good news about Republicans is that it's not pure seniority,” he said. “I think we're seeing that we've got a lot of talented members that are interested.”

The two top Republicans on the Steering Committee — Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthyTrump asked Chamber of Commerce to reconsider Democratic endorsements: report The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill Trump's sharp words put CDC director on hot seat MORE (Calif.) and Minority Whip Steve Scalise Stephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseHouse GOP slated to unveil agenda ahead of election House panel details 'serious' concerns around Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin elections Scalise hit with ethics complaint over doctored Barkan video MORE (La.) — wield the most power on the panel, with McCarthy counting for four votes and Scalise with two. The rest of the 29 members are allotted one vote each.

Multiple sources said that Hice, despite being the most senior member running for the position, could face significant hurdles after voting against McCarthy for Speaker at the start of the 116th Congress, as well as bucking leadership on key issues in the past.

“That doesn't play well when it comes time for these appointments,” one Republican member said.

Hice, who is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, said he doesn’t believe past tensions will be a factor, noting conservatives and leadership have managed to come together in the minority as they work together to defend the president from Democratic attacks.

“That was then, this is now — [it has] long been water under the bridge. And being in the minority has a way of pulling us all together, we’re rowing together on the same team for the same purpose,” he said.

The Georgia Republican highlighted his experience working with Meadows and Jordan — both founding members of the Freedom Caucus and close allies of the president — on the Oversight and Reform Committee, adding that he believes he can bring the same level of vitality to the role.

“That's a committee that Democrats have used to attack the president and impeachment and all this sort of stuff, and we've had incredible leadership with Jim and Mark,” Hice said. “I just think we need to keep that spirit.”

Roy, another Freedom Caucus member who previously worked as chief of staff for Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzSenate Republicans face tough decision on replacing Ginsburg Cruz: Trump should nominate a Supreme Court justice next week Renewed focus on Trump's Supreme Court list after Ginsburg's death MORE (R-Texas), has also had his own run-ins with leadership, most notably when he infuriated colleagues by single-handedly blocking a voice vote on a $19 billion disaster aid package last year.

ADVERTISEMENT

But sources close to Roy highlighted he is interested in the role, noting he is the only freshman to serve as the top Republican on one of the panel’s subcommittees.

The Texas Republican, while expressing interest in the role, has acknowledged he likely faces an uphill climb.

“I've let people know that I'd be happy to do it, but I don't really think I see leadership rushing to get a spirited freshman to be in that role,” he said.

Roy, who said he thinks McCarthy is looking to move in a different direction, added that he will touch base with relevant members during next week’s House recess to gauge their level of support.

Both Meadows and Jordan have shown that despite an initial frosty relationship with McCarthy, a thawing is possible. The two lawmakers, who have established themselves as Trump’s attack dogs on Capitol Hill, managed to secure coveted committee posts under McCarthy’s leadership. Many have credited Trump as the uniting factor among previously opposing factions within the GOP.

And one thing GOP leaders are looking for in Meadows’s successor is someone who won’t back down from a confrontation with Democrats.

“It's important that we have somebody fill that role that's going to be aggressive in carrying out the proper job of oversight,” said Scalise. “And we've been in touch — we've heard from a lot of members that are interested and that's a good thing.”