Steve Scalise Withdraws Name from Consideration as Republican Nominee for Speaker of the House, Leaving Party Without Clear Frontrunner

After a tumultuous meeting in the House basement, Steve Scalise (R-LA) has withdrawn his name from consideration as the Republican nominee for Speaker of the House. The decision comes after Scalise was selected as the nominee on Wednesday, but failed to gain the necessary 217 votes to officially win the gavel on the House floor.

The Republican party is now in chaos as they search for a new Speaker to replace former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was removed earlier this month. Scalise was the only other candidate for the position, and his withdrawal has left the party without a clear frontrunner.

Scalise addressed reporters after the meeting, saying “I just shared with my colleagues that I’m withdrawing my name as a candidate for the speaker designee. It’s been quite a journey, and there’s still a long way to go.”

The Republican party is now left without a clear frontrunner for the position of Speaker of the House. Members of the party are expressing frustration and embarrassment at the situation, and the search for a new Speaker is sure to be a long and difficult process. It remains to be seen who will be the next Speaker of the House, and how the Republican party will move forward.