The tumult in Congress deepened as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., opted out of the House speaker race, unable to rally enough support from the Republican conference.
This political shakeup comes on the heels of Kevin McCarthy’s departure from the speaker position last week. Although Scalise managed a narrow victory against Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, President Trump’s preferred choice for the role, he lacked the broad backing necessary to secure the speaker’s title.
Scalise’s decision exacerbates the leadership vacuum in the House, jeopardizing crucial actions like funding for Israel amidst its conflict with Hamas and potential government funding resolutions.
The Louisiana Republican, who has faced significant personal challenges including a near-fatal shooting in 2017 and a recent battle with blood cancer, spoke candidly about the obstacles in unifying the GOP. He emphasized the need for members to prioritize national interests over personal agendas. With Republicans slated to discuss their next steps on Friday, the path ahead remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Democrats look set to support House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., necessitating Republicans to coalesce around a single nominee or consider bipartisan collaboration.
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