Steve Scalise Withdraws from Speaker of the House Race After the Removal of Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) withdrew from consideration for the speakership Thursday night.

Scalise’s ouster follows the recent historic outing of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who was ousted from the nation’s third-highest office on October 3.

“I just shared with my colleagues that I am withdrawing my name as a candidate for Speaker,” the House Majority Leader told reporters, according to CNN.

The Louisiana congressman announced his decision a day after a group of Republican congressmen announced they would not vote for Scalise for the presidential nomination. The congressman’s blockade followed a vote at the GOP conference that narrowly favored Scalise, against Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), by a vote of 113-99.

To be elected speaker of the House of Representatives, a candidate must collect at least 217 votes, so Scalise is left to try to get an additional 104 votes.

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks during a news conference at the US Capitol on February 27, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Kevin McCarthy has been removed as Speaker of the House of Representatives in an unprecedented impeachment vote

As a result, the Louisiana congressman tried to save his nomination and recruit those who voted for Rep. Jordan to support his nomination.

Scalise tried a private, closed-door conference where he tried to win opponents over to his side, but as a result, several of his former supporters withdrew their support and opposed his nomination, CNBC reports. The Washington Post also reported that Jordan remained silent during Thursday’s closed conference call.

Scalise’s efforts turned 14 challengers into two dozen challengers, putting him well short of the necessary 217 votes.

Rep. Jim Jordan, during a hearing on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty

The House of Representatives appointed a temporary Speaker Pro Tempore following the historic removal of Kevin McCarthy

As a result of Scalise’s withdrawal, House Republicans are scheduled to meet to discuss next steps at 10 a.m. Friday morning, NBC News reported.

“If you look at where our conference is at, there’s still work to be done. Our conference still needs to come together, and it’s not there,” Scalise added, according to CNN. “There are still some people who have their own agendas, and I’ve been very clear that everyone needs to put their agendas aside and focus on what this country needs.”

As the House of Representatives remains in this state of limbo, the congressman noted how important it is for representatives to fill that seat. “This country is counting on us to come back together. This House of Representatives needs a Speaker and we need to reopen the House, but obviously not everyone is there and there are still divisions that need to be resolved,” Scalise said, according to CNN.

Before Scalise’s withdrawal, his opponent, Rep. Jordan, said he would vote for the Louisiana representative because of the Legislature’s need to return to a “functional” House of Representatives, according to CNBC.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In addition to Jordan expressing concern about the current state of uncertainty, former president McCarthy said, “I just think the conference as a whole has to figure out its problem, solve it and choose its leader,” CNN reported.

However, ahead of the vote between Scalise and Jordan, Republican representatives were considering giving additional privileges to McCarthy’s current replacement, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), who serves as interim Speaker Pro Tempore, according to CNN sources. They shared with The Washington Post that many Republicans are considering Jordan as the next option for the presidency, which could be decided by a vote during Friday’s morning conference.

Representative Patrick McHenry during a hearing in Washington, DC, USA, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty

Scalise has no plans to endorse another candidate for speaker at this time, Axios reports.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education