Scalise withdraws from Speaker race.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise Ends Bid for Speaker

House Majority Leader Steve‌ Scalise (R-LA) announced on Thursday evening that he is⁣ ending‌ his bid for speaker after failing to muster enough support to win the gavel.

In ⁤confirming the decision to reporters, after making his intentions known⁤ to fellow Republicans in⁣ a members-only meeting, Scalise said, “There are still​ schisms that ⁢have to be resolved.”

Scalise withdraws name as⁣ candidate ⁣in ‌House⁤ Speaker race … pic.twitter.com/lJ33ar3pBy

— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) October 13, 2023

Scalise, who said he ‌intends to remain as majority‍ leader, edged out Judiciary Chairman Jim‍ Jordan (R-OH) 113-99 in ⁣a secret ballot​ vote for​ the nomination on Wednesday, but more than ‍24 hours later⁢ a couple dozen GOP ⁢members either opposed⁢ him ⁤or‌ were undecided.

With⁤ Democrats united in nominating Minority Leader Hakeem​ Jeffries ‌ (D-NY) for speaker, Republicans can only ⁤afford to lose a handful of votes to ⁣secure the simple majority needed​ to secure the speaker’s gavel.

The House⁢ has been without a ⁣speaker for more than‍ a week after Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was voted out of the role on ⁢Tuesday. Eight Republicans joined with​ Democrats, citing objections to McCarthy’s leadership, ‌in securing McCarthy’s ouster after Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) ⁢got the process underway ⁢with a​ “motion to ‌vacate.”

Leading‍ up to⁤ and after Scalise’s exit from the ⁣race, some members suggested Jordan‌ would ultimately be a more viable candidate. Jordan had the backing of ‌former President Donald ‍Trump, the GOP frontrunner in the 2024 presidential race,⁤ during the nomination contest. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) listed Jordan ​along with some other ⁢names as⁣ possibilities in a post to X on Thursday evening.

I‍ am asking members​ of⁣ the⁤ GOP ​to return to Washington⁤ so that we can nominate⁤ a Speaker. ⁤Scalise is ​a statesman​ and acted in true selfless fashion⁢ by⁣ stepping ⁣aside. This needs to happen. Here are some options:

• Jim Jordan
• Kevin Hern
• Lee ‌Zeldin
• Mark‌ Green

— Anna ⁣Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina)​ October 13, 2023

There is a sense of urgency as Rep. ‌Patrick McHenry⁣ (R-NC), who is serving as speaker pro tempore,‌ is ​limited in what he ⁣can do in the temporary role at a time ⁤when Israel goes to war with Hamas after a terrorist attack over‌ the weekend and a government shutdown possible by mid-November.

Some​ have proposed​ empowering McHenry in ​the short term to ​get legislative ‌business⁣ in motion. Democrats have‌ floated the⁤ idea ‍of entering talks⁢ to​ find a “bipartisan path forward,” which Jeffries ⁣ reportedly suggested would include​ tweaks to the⁣ rules “enacted ‌in ​January that empower‍ their ⁢most extreme‌ members.”

What are the implications of the current ⁢leadership⁤ race for the functioning of the House of ⁢Representatives and the legislative‍ priorities of both parties

House ​Majority ⁢Leader​ Steve Scalise (R-LA) has announced the end of his bid for speaker of the House after failing to garner enough support. Scalise made his intentions known to fellow Republicans during a ⁤members-only meeting, citing unresolved divisions within the party.

Scalise confirmed his decision to reporters, stating,⁢ “There are‍ still schisms that have to be resolved.” This⁤ announcement comes after a secret ballot vote, in which​ Scalise narrowly edged out Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) 113-99 for the nomination.​ However, more than 24 hours later, a couple of ⁢dozen GOP members either opposed him⁢ or⁤ were undecided.

With Democrats united in nominating Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) for speaker, Republicans can only afford to lose a handful ⁢of votes to secure the simple majority needed to secure the speaker’s gavel. The House has been without ​a speaker for over​ a week after⁢ Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)​ was removed from the role on Tuesday, with eight Republicans joining Democrats ‌in securing McCarthy’s ouster.

Scalise has expressed his intention to remain as⁣ majority ‍leader despite ending his bid for speaker. The decision leaves the Republican Party in‌ search of a new ⁣candidate to unite⁣ behind and secure the speaker position. The schisms⁣ within the party highlight ‍the challenges ⁢faced by Republicans in maintaining cohesion and securing leadership positions.

The race for speaker of‍ the House remains a significant topic of discussion, as this position holds considerable power and influence within Congress. It is essential for both parties to⁣ navigate these internal​ divisions and select a candidate⁣ who can rally the majority of their party members. The next speaker will play a crucial role in shaping⁢ legislative​ priorities and advancing their party’s agenda.

As the search for the next speaker unfolds, Republicans will need to bridge the divides within their party and rally‍ behind a candidate who can secure the necessary support. The selection of a strong‌ and effective leader is crucial for Republicans to regain focus and unity as they navigate the​ political landscape and work towards their policy objectives. The outcome ​of this leadership race will have implications for⁤ both the⁣ party ​and the functioning of the House‍ of Representatives as a whole.

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