Rep. Steve Scalise is dropping out of the speaker’s race after House Republicans failed to coalesce behind him in the aftermath of Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster.

House Republicans met behind closed-doors for more than two hours Thursday afternoon, where the Majority leader urged his detractors to explain their opposition to him in front of the conference. After the meeting ended, Scalise huddled with those opposed to him in his office. And Republicans scheduled a second members-only conference meeting for Thursday evening.

But the opposition to Scalise as the next speaker only grew Thursday, with roughly 20 Republicans publicly opposing him. Scalise needs a majority of the House to be elected speaker, meaning he can only afford to lose four votes.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      1
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      I get your point, but a house speaker has never, ever been voted out before, yet here we are. A house speaker hasent taken more than one vote to be selected for literally 100 yrs, but here we are.

      These are unprecedented times. Dems wouldn’t compromise because their party isn’t fractured, no matter how much media wants to gin up comflict. The GOP is, and when you have their level of dysfunction, you have to turn to where you can actually get votes. Right now, thats the dems.

      I honestly dont expect Jeffies to be selected here. At most, some actually moderate GOP rep might get dem votes after some big consessions. Still, we are in uncharted waters. Shit very well might get weird.

      • BolexForSoup
        link
        fedilink
        0
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        They voted him out knowing a republican would replace him. Gaetz and them are absurd but they are not going to literally hand the reins to the democrats. It’s not happening. I would put money on it. Jeffries will not be considered by the GOP.