Steve Scalise Abandons Campaign for House Speaker After Failing to Secure Necessary Support

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Late last Thursday, Republican Steve Scalise withdrew his candidacy for the role of House Speaker, exacerbating the turmoil within the GOP majority as the legislative chamber remains paralyzed. Scalise made the announcement to fellow GOP members during a confidential meeting, explicitly refraining from endorsing any other candidate, including his primary competitor, Rep. Jim Jordan, Chair of the Judiciary Committee and a candidate previously supported by Donald Trump. Jordan had already indicated that he would no longer pursue the Speaker’s role.

The future remains uncertain for the House of Representatives, which is virtually at a standstill as Republicans grapple with selecting a new Speaker following the removal of Kevin McCarthy. Scalise, who hails from Louisiana, stated, “The Republican majority still has to come together; it’s not there yet.” Despite concerted efforts to amass the requisite votes after receiving the nomination from a majority of GOP members, it became clear that no amount of behind-the-scenes negotiations would change the minds of those steadfast in their refusal to back him.

Scalise emphasized the need for unity within the party, stating, “We must set aside individual agendas and concentrate on what the nation requires.” When questioned about his support for Jordan, Scalise remarked that the focus should be on individuals who prioritize the country’s needs over their personal interests. Although he had hoped for swift resolution, Scalise acknowledged that a decision would not be forthcoming in the immediate future.

The ongoing impasse has heightened frustrations and lost Republicans yet another day without a Speaker. The standoff has also led to divisions among hardline Republicans, many influenced by Donald Trump, who remain resolute in their search for McCarthy’s replacement. McCarthy, however, suggested that Scalise would retain his role as Majority Leader while advising his colleagues to resolve their internal issues.

The lack of a Speaker has left the House in a state of paralysis for two weeks, ratcheting up political pressure on Republicans to regain majority control and govern effectively. This is especially crucial given the looming possibility of a government shutdown and other urgent legislative needs, such as bipartisan resolutions supporting Israel in its conflict with Hamas.

The current deadlock mirrors the situation at the beginning of the year, with McCarthy then facing resistance from another faction of far-right members. Although the vote count is even more challenging this time, Scalise, who survived a shooting in 2017, fell short in the private GOP vote by 113-99, contrary to McCarthy’s claim that he would garner 150 votes behind closed doors. To win the Speaker’s role in a floor fight with Democrats, Scalise would have needed 217 votes, a difficult feat in a House with a narrow 221-212 divide.

Democrats, growing increasingly exasperated, have urged Republicans to resolve their internal strife, cautioning that global attention is focused on their actions. The stalled proceedings have left Congress inactive, with GOP members spending a second day in private meetings debating but failing to coalesce around a nominee.

Amidst this turmoil, Jordan, a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus and a Trump-backed candidate, has withdrawn his candidacy but also failed to unify the party. Other hardliners have pledged their allegiance to various candidates, adding to the chaos. Adding another layer of complexity, former President Trump discussed Scalise’s health challenges—particularly his battle with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer—indicating the difficulties in resolving the leadership vacuum.

In summary, the Republicans find themselves in a critical deadlock that requires immediate attention, not just to fill the leadership vacuum but also to address urgent legislative issues facing the nation.

Contributions to this report were made by Jill Colvin in New York and Kevin Freking.

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