Top Republican Steve Scalise drops out of House Speaker race after bombshell vote
Kevin McCarthy was removed from his role as speaker last week and it looks like Republicans will fail to unite our one candidate.
Republican Steve Scalise has ended his bid to be the next House speaker after reportedly failing to gain enough support.
Scalise is believed to have told Republican colleagues of his decision late on Thursday. Reports suggest he declined to show support for any other candidate, including chief rival Jim Jordan.
In a press conference, Scalise urged Republicans to come together and put aside their own political agendas, reports Fox News. He said: "If you look at over the last few weeks, if you look at where our conferences there's still work to be done. Our conference still has to come together and is not there.
"There are still some people that have their own agendas. And I was very clear we have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs. This country is counting on us to come back together.
"This House of Representatives needs a speaker, and we need to open up the House again. But clearly, not everybody is there. And they're still schisms that have to get resolved. I never came here for a title I've had some great titles. I'm the Majority Leader of the House, and I love the job I have."
Scalise said he would support electing a new House speaker quickly. He said he wanted a candidate who isn't "doing it for themselves" or their own "personal interests" to win the vote.
The 58-year-old won a Republican conference vote for the nomination for speaker earlier this week. Many GOP members however said they would not vote for him.
After the announcement, Rep Ralph Norman said he was "not surprised" to see Scalise drop out of the race. He told Fox he believed Jordan would be able to secure enough support.
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The next steps for the House now remain unclear. It essentially remains shut while the Republicans attempt to elect a new speaker after ousting McCarthy from the role.
It is thought Scalise received 113 to 99 votes in a private vote between Republicans. But with the chamber narrowly split 221-212 with two vacancies, any nomination would require a majority of Republicans to support them.
