Steve Scalise drops out of US Speaker race

Just a day after being nominated by his party, Republican Congressman Steve Scalise has withdrawn from the race for Speaker of the House. The decision followed a last-minute meeting of House Republicans, during which it became evident that Scalise was struggling to secure enough votes for a majority in the chamber. It is currently uncertain who the Republican Party will nominate for this position.

In his post-meeting statement, Scalise emphasized the need for unity, stating, “We have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs. This House of Representatives needs a Speaker, and we need to open up the house again. But clearly, not everybody is there, and there are still unresolved divisions.”

Despite defeating his right-wing rival, Jim Jordan, in a secret ballot, Scalise faced increasing dissent from rank-and-file Republicans. His efforts to sway enough votes to secure the required 217 were unsuccessful. In Scalise’s words, “There were people who told me they were fine with me three days ago who were moving the goalpost and making up reasons… that had nothing to do with anything.” He also acknowledged that “it wasn’t going to happen” and cited political games as a reason for his withdrawal.

Scalise, however, has decided to remain as the majority leader of his party, expressing his commitment to the position he loves. The Speaker of the House remains vacant, causing legislative gridlock in the House of Representatives and potentially affecting the passage of bills, approval of emergency aid, and the avoidance of a government shutdown in November.

Several options are being considered to resolve this situation. One possibility is granting additional powers temporarily to Acting Speaker Patrick McHenry, although this would require cooperation from opposition Democrats. Another option is for Democrats and Republicans to collaborate in electing a consensus candidate. Some Democrats have even suggested that Republicans might cross party lines to support Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for the Speaker position, although this is seen as a long-shot by many on Capitol Hill.

The Speaker position has remained vacant for ten days since Kevin McCarthy was ousted by hardliners within the Republican party. Some lawmakers hope that Jim Jordan, who supported Scalise, will become the nominee, but Scalise emphasized the importance of candidates who prioritize the country’s interests over personal ambitions. McCarthy’s stance on the matter was to let House Republicans resolve their issues, select a leader, and move forward.