The House speaker's chair has been empty ever since eight Republicans joined with Democrats earlier this month to oust Kevin McCarthy.

However, Democratic House Minority Leader Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently suggested that his party could play a role in changing that. 

Jeffries says Democrats are pursuing "a bipartisan governing coalition"

According to Breitbart, Jeffries made that claim this past weekend during an appearance on NBC News' "Meet the Press."

"Are you actually having conversations behind the scenes with the Republican counterparts about trying to create a bipartisan solution, a governing coalition?" host Kristen Welker asked the House minority leader.

"We are ready, willing, and able to enter into a bipartisan governing coalition" -- Hakeem Jeffries on Meet the Press says there have been "informal conversations" about a bipartisan solution to House Republican chaos pic.twitter.com/uLFJ0cK4Au

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 15, 2023

"There are informal conversations that have been underway. When we get back to Washington tomorrow, it’s important to begin to formalize those discussions," Jeffries said in response. "At this point, that is on my House Republican colleagues."

"We have made clear, publicly and privately, that we are ready, willing, and able to enter into a bipartisan governing coalition that puts the American people first and solves problems for hardworking American taxpayers," he continued.

House minority leader suggests rules change

"We want to ensure that votes are taken on bills that have substantial Democratic support and substantial Republican support so that the extremists aren’t able to dictate the agenda," Jeffries asserted.

"We want to ensure that votes are taken on bills that have substantial Democratic support and substantial Republican support so that the extremists aren’t able to dictate the agenda," he stated.

"The current rules of the House have facilitated a handful of Republicans being able to determine what gets voted on in the House of Representatives, and that undermines the interests of the American people," Jeffries stressed.

"We can change the rules to facilitate bipartisanship, and that should be the starting point of our conversation," he concluded.

Jim Jordan said to face a "very steep climb"

Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan became the only GOP candidate for speaker after House Majority Leader Steve Scalise dropped out of the race last week.

Nevertheless, MSNBC political analyst Jake Sherman reported on Sunday that Jordan continues to face "a very, very steep climb."

🚨BREAKING: @Jim_Jordan is aiming to schedule a floor vote on his bid to be speaker for TUESDAY.

55 House Rs said they wouldnt vote for him on the floor, but allies been working to shrink that all weekend. But it's a very, very steep climb.

JORDAN is intent on putting ppl on…

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 15, 2023