Scalise withdraws from House Speaker race

(Washington, DC) – House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has withdrawn his name from consideration to be the next Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

“I know we've been following this. It's been quite a journey and there's still a long way to go. I just shared with my colleagues that I'm withdrawing my name as a candidate for the Speaker-designee,” Scalise said in a press conference shortly after telling his fellow House members of his decision.

The Louisiana Republican said the Republican conference “still has to come together and is not there,” alluding to some Republicans who “have their own agendas,” according to Scalise.

“I was very clear: We have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs. 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,” he said.

Scalise defeated Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, in a Republican conference vote for the nomination of speaker, but many in the GOP said they would not vote in his favor on the House floor, Fox News reports.