(BrightPress.org) – House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) announced his bid for the speakership position on Wednesday, October 4th. Scalise referenced a 2017 incident at a congressional baseball game where he was shot and critically injured in his announcement letter to the Republican caucus. He credited his fellow congressmen with aiding his recovery, calling his colleagues “a family.”
He further said that his fellow members “saved my life.” He cited prayers from friends and his congressional family for saving his life after everyone was told his chances of survival were extremely low.
Citing his belief that God gave him a second chance at life, he elaborated on his belief that everyone on Earth is put here for a purpose. He said that he knew what was required to fight the battles that are yet to come and he asked for their support in his bid to become the next Speaker.
The announcement followed Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) ouster after Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) called for a floor vote that only needed a simple majority. Democrats and eight Republicans voted to remove McCarthy from the position, triggering a fresh contest and significantly delaying the business of Congress.
Hardline conservatives received an additional benefit in that Congress won’t be able to authorize more spending on Ukraine until the speaker is selected, a point of contention between the House Freedom Caucus (what major media is calling ‘extreme maga Republicans’) and the rest of the Republican and Democrat parties.
Scalise could be a viable front-runner for the position, according to a senior aide working for the GOP. Scalise was McCarthy’s #2 guy according to many in Congress, they previously disagreed over how to raise the debt limit.
Scalise already has the support of multiple key Republicans, including Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), who suggested Scalise was the “right man” to lead Congress. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) also announced her intention to support him. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MI) was a crucial vote in securing the support of additional Republicans.
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