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Updated Oct 12, 2023, 08:27pm EDT
Topline
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) dropped out of the House speaker race Thursday, in a remarkable turn of events just one day after he was nominated for the position amid doubt from GOP members that he could secure the 217 Republican votes needed to become House speaker in a floor vote.
Scalise was nominated for Speaker on Wednesday. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Key Facts
Scalise announced his withdrawal from the race in a closed-door meeting, according to multiple outlets
Scalise won the speaker vote 113-99 over Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), whose backers said Wednesday that they would nominate Jordan on the floor and continue voting for him.
Scalise told reporters Thursday the GOP still has to come together and that “it was very clear we have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs,” according to NBC News.
About 20 Republicans publicly opposed Scalise as of Thursday, according to CNN, which reported frustration among the House GOP as it became uncertain whether a candidate could reach the 217 votes needed.
Key Background
The House’s nomination of Scalise came days after it ousted former House speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the position in a 216-210 vote. McCarthy maintained backers who said they would still nominate him for speaker despite the vote, in which all Democrats and eight hard-right Republicans supported outing him, making McCarthy the first House speaker in U.S. history to be ousted from the job. The House is now back at square one ahead of a November 17 deadline to pass a new budget that will avoid a government shutdown.
What To Watch For
Scalise said he will remain in his role as House majority leader, according to Punchbowl News.
Further Reading
Rep. Steve Scalise Wins GOP Nomination For House Speaker—Days After McCarthy’s Ouster (Forbes)
Steve Scalise drops out of speaker’s race as House GOP faces leadership crisis (CNN)
