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October 13, 2023

Rep. Scalise Drops Bid to Become House Speaker Amid Republican Infighting
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The U.S. House of Representatives remains without a speaker. On
Thursday, Republican Congressmember Steve Scalise dropped out of the
running to replace the ousted Speaker Kevin Mc Carthy, after 16
Republicans said they would not vote for Scalise. Supporters of Jim
Jordan are rallying to shift their party's support to the Ohio
congressmember, who founded the far-right House Freedom Caucus and
currently chairs the Judiciary Committee. White House Press Secretary
Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the congressional turmoil Thursday.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre: "What we're seeing is certainly
shambolic chaos that we're seeing over there on the other side of
Pennsylvania Avenue, and they need to get their act together. There's a
lot of work that needs to be done on behalf of the American people."

House legislative business is at a standstill until a new speaker is
elected. This includes a bill to keep the government open beyond
November 17 and military funding for Israel and Ukraine.


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