Scalise has announced he has dropped out of the race to be speaker of the House.
October 12, 2023, 8:05 PM
Rep. Steve Scalise announced he is withdrawing his name as a candidate for speaker of the House after he failed to secure enough support from the House Republican Conference to take his bid to the floor for a vote.
“I just shared with my colleagues that I’m withdrawing my name as a candidate for the speaker designee,” Scalise, R-Louisiana, told reporters following a hastily arranged huddle with fellow Republicans Thursday night in front of the press.
“If you look at over the last few weeks, if you look at where our conference is, there’s still work to be done,” Scalise continued. “Our conference still has to come together and is not there.”
Scalise seemed to lash out at his opposition, telling reporters that “there are still some people that have their own agendas” — not the country’s.
“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.”
Scalise said, “There’s still schisms that have to get resolved,” but he is content remaining House Majority Leader.
“I never came here for title,” he said. “I’ve had the challenges. I’ve been tested in ways that really put perspective on life — really, the 2017 shooting — when I didn’t know if I was going to make it out alive, taught me what’s important in life. And that’s my family, my faith, and I’m blessed beyond belief.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
