US House Speaker Candidate Scalise Withdraws... Prolonged Turmoil Amid Republican Party Infighting

Withdrawal of House Speaker Candidacy Amidst Opposition from Hardliners Within the Party

Steve Scalise, the House Republican leader who was elected as the Republican candidate for Speaker of the House, ultimately withdrew his candidacy after internal party conflicts.

On the 12th (local time), according to Bloomberg News, Scalise expressed this intention to Republican lawmakers during a private meeting held that evening.

Earlier, the Republican Party, the majority party in the House, passed a resolution to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and then elected Scalise as the next Republican candidate for Speaker of the House. However, about ten Republican lawmakers publicly opposed him within the party, which eventually led to Scalise's withdrawal.

After announcing his resignation, Scalise said, "There is still work to be done," expressing his love for his job and stating that he did not come to Congress to gain a title. He added, "This House needs a Speaker, and we need to open the doors of the House again," but also noted, "Clearly, not everyone is there. There are still divisions that need to be resolved."

Due to the Republican Party's internal strife, the vacancy and confusion caused by the first-ever removal of a Speaker in U.S. congressional history are expected to be prolonged.