Steve Scalise: “There are still people who have their own agendas”; Photo: AP
The House of Representatives plunged into further chaos Thursday night after the GOP nominee to lead the chamber dropped out of the race amid GOP infighting.
Louisiana congressman Steve Scalise said he is dropping out of the race for House speaker because he can't get his party to unite around him.
The lower house of Congress is in a state of flux. paralysis since Republicans staged a violent insurrection and ousted Kevin McCarthy as House speaker.
The development means the House gridlock, which has been unable to consider legislation for nine days, could continue for more for some time, despite acute problems at home and abroad.
The race to replace Mr. McCarthy has Mr. McCarthy Scalise, the House majority leader, and Jim Jordan, a favorite of the far right and Donald Trump, vying for the nomination.
Mr. clinched his nomination by a reported 113 votes to Mr. Jordan's 99 in a secret ballot — far short of the 217 votes needed to be elected Speaker of the House.
The 58-year-old spent 24 hours trying to rally the party's dissenters but, in another stunning development in the ongoing Republican civil war, he dropped out of the race less than 36 hours after becoming the candidate.
“I have just informed my colleagues that I am withdrawing my name as our speaker’s nominee,” he told reporters Thursday evening.
It came after conservative Republicans publicly refused to support him, effectively dooming his candidacy despite hours of intense lobbying behind closed doors.
Mr Scalise said: “This country is counting on we will come together again.
” The House needs a Speaker, and we need to open the House again. But it's clear that not everyone is there, and there are still rifts that need to be resolved.»
It remains unclear whether the party can reach consensus around a new candidate.
Mr. Jordan, the Ohio congressman, is currently the only candidate for speaker.
But many doubt the combative congressman can unify his fractious party or win support from moderates.
Republicans can afford no more than four defections as they control the House by a slim 221-212 margin.
Many hardliners, following Trump's lead, have begun a long-running race for the speakership.
Political pressure is growing on Republicans to regain majority control and prove they are capable of governing as legislation urgently needs to be considered to help Israel and avert a government shutdown in mid-November.White is expected to House will soon ask for money for Israel, Ukraine and US weapons resupply.
The White House is expected to soon request money for Israel, Ukraine and US weapons resupply.
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Democrats who initially rejoiced in the Republican drama warned that the party now risks turning Congress into a laughing stock on the world stage.
“House Republicans must end the GOP civil war, now,” said Hakeem Jeffries. the highest-ranking Democrat in the House.
—House Democrats continue to make clear that we are ready, willing and able to find a bipartisan path forward.”
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