Michigan Republican U.S. Rep. Bergman is one of nine candidates running to be the GOP nominee for House speaker, and he is the only one advertising that he would take the job on a temporary basis. The House of Representatives has been without a speaker for three weeks after California Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted by a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Both of the GOP conference's previous nominees failed to secure the 217 votes needed on the House floor. Bergman, a fourth-term congressman and a retired lieutenant general in the Marine Corps, is highlighting his military experience and the need for a unifying voice in the party. He is willing to step up until a speaker with enough votes is found. The absence of a speaker is causing serious problems, including the House's inability to support Israel or debate new Ukraine funding. Additionally, the GOP has wasted valuable time that could have been used to solve a spending showdown before a potential government shutdown. The lack of a speaker is compromising American leadership and threatening the function of the U.S. government.