Rep. Steve Scalise Drops Out of Speaker’s Race Amid Lack of GOP Support

House Republican Representative Steve Scalise has dropped out of the speaker’s race following a lack of support from his colleagues. After the recent removal of Kevin McCarthy as House Majority leader, Republicans failed to unite behind Scalise, leading to a deepening leadership crisis. Scalise stated that there is still work to be done to bring the conference together and resolve internal disagreements. It remains uncertain whether there is a viable candidate who can secure the necessary 217 votes to become the speaker. The deadlock has caused frustration and concern among Republicans, who fear prolonged leadership paralysis. In addition, Democrats are expected to back House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, further diminishing Scalise’s chances. As the opposition to Scalise grows, Republicans are considering alternative options and exploring the possibility of expanding the powers of interim Speaker Patrick McHenry. Some House Democrats have even initiated preliminary discussions with certain Republicans about potential collaborations if Scalise withdraws from the race.