Scalise drops out of race for speaker of the House, leaving Congress in limbo

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of La., talks to reporters as he announces he is ending his campaign to be the next House speaker after a Republican meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Jose Luis Magana / Jose Luis Magana

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., has dropped out of the race to become the new House Speaker, after failing to secure enough support for his bid to succeed on the floor.

“I was very clear we have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs,” Scalise told reporters in the Capitol. “This country is counting on us to come back to this House of Representatives needs a speaker and we need to open up the House again.”

Scalise informed House Republicans of his plans during a closed-door meeting in the basement of the Capitol.