Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise withdrew himself from consideration for the House speakership on Thursday evening. The congressman announced his decision after a growing group of Republican House members made clear they would not help elect Scalise, eliminating his path to victory.Scalise’s removal from the ballot follows the recent historicousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was recalled from the nation’s third-highest post on Oct. 3. A GOP conference vote to nominate a new House speaker candidate on Wednesday narrowly favored Scalise 113-99 over Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan.But to formally be elected as speaker, a nominee must secure a majority of votes during the formal election — that meant Scalise would need 217 votes, if everyone in the House participates.Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks during news conference at the U.S. Capitol on February 27, 2020 in Washington, DC.Mark Wilson / Getty ImagesScalise’s attempts to recruit those who voted for Jordan were made in a private closed-door conference where he tried to sway the opposers to his side, reportsCNBC, but efforts were unsuccessful.Anna Moneymaker/GettyThe Washington Postalso reported that Jordan remained silent during the closed-door conference on Thursday.Representative Jim Jordan, during a hearing on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.Al Drago/Bloomberg via GettyAs a result of Scalise’s withdrawal, the House Republicans are set to meet to discuss the next steps on Friday morning at 10 a.m., reportsNBC News.“If you look at where our conference is there’s still work to be done. Our conference still has to come together and is not there,” Scalise added, perCNN. “There are still some people that have their own agendas, and I was very clear we have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs.”As the House of Representatives remains in limbo with a looming government shutdown, the congressman noted how vital it is for the representatives to fill the position. “This country is counting on us to come back together. This House of Representatives needs a speaker and we need to open up the House again, but clearly not everybody is there, and there’s still schisms that have to get resolved,” said Scalise,CNNreported.Ahead of Scalise’s withdrawal, his opponent, Rep. Jordan, shared he would be voting for the Louisiana representative due to the legislative branch’s necessity to return to a “functioning” House of Representatives, according toCNBC.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.In addition to Jordan voicing concerns about the current state of uncertainty, former Speaker McCarthy said, “I just think the conference as a whole has to figure out their problem, solve it, and select their leader,” reportsCNN.Representative Patrick McHenry during a hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via GettyHowever, ahead of the vote between Scalise and Jordan, the Republican representatives were considering granting additional privileges to McCarthy’s current replacement,Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), who is serving as temporary Speaker Pro Tempore, according toCNNsources. They shared withThe Washington Postthat many Republicans are considering Jordan as the next option for the speakership, which could be decided in a vote during the Friday morning conference.Scalise has no plans to endorse another speaker candidate at this time, reportsAxios.

Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise withdrew himself from consideration for the House speakership on Thursday evening. The congressman announced his decision after a growing group of Republican House members made clear they would not help elect Scalise, eliminating his path to victory.

Scalise’s removal from the ballot follows the recent historicousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was recalled from the nation’s third-highest post on Oct. 3. A GOP conference vote to nominate a new House speaker candidate on Wednesday narrowly favored Scalise 113-99 over Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan.

But to formally be elected as speaker, a nominee must secure a majority of votes during the formal election — that meant Scalise would need 217 votes, if everyone in the House participates.

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks during news conference at the U.S. Capitol on February 27, 2020 in Washington, DC.Mark Wilson / Getty Images

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks during his weekly news conference at the U.S. Capitol on February 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. The White House earlier this week put forward a $2.5 billion request for emergency funding to fight the coronavirus to which McCarthy responded, “I think $2 billion is a little low, I think we’re probably looking at $4 billion in this process, having spoken to Democrat House members from Appropriations."

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

Scalise’s attempts to recruit those who voted for Jordan were made in a private closed-door conference where he tried to sway the opposers to his side, reportsCNBC, but efforts were unsuccessful.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty

U.S. House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) listens during a press conference following a House Republican Conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol Building on July 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he is a target in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol

The Washington Postalso reported that Jordan remained silent during the closed-door conference on Thursday.

Representative Jim Jordan, during a hearing on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty

Jim Jordan hearing Washington 07 12 23

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty

As a result of Scalise’s withdrawal, the House Republicans are set to meet to discuss the next steps on Friday morning at 10 a.m., reportsNBC News.

“If you look at where our conference is there’s still work to be done. Our conference still has to come together and is not there,” Scalise added, perCNN. “There are still some people that have their own agendas, and I was very clear we have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs.”

As the House of Representatives remains in limbo with a looming government shutdown, the congressman noted how vital it is for the representatives to fill the position. “This country is counting on us to come back together. This House of Representatives needs a speaker and we need to open up the House again, but clearly not everybody is there, and there’s still schisms that have to get resolved,” said Scalise,CNNreported.

Ahead of Scalise’s withdrawal, his opponent, Rep. Jordan, shared he would be voting for the Louisiana representative due to the legislative branch’s necessity to return to a “functioning” House of Representatives, according toCNBC.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In addition to Jordan voicing concerns about the current state of uncertainty, former Speaker McCarthy said, “I just think the conference as a whole has to figure out their problem, solve it, and select their leader,” reportsCNN.

Representative Patrick McHenry during a hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty

Patrick McHenry

Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty

However, ahead of the vote between Scalise and Jordan, the Republican representatives were considering granting additional privileges to McCarthy’s current replacement,Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), who is serving as temporary Speaker Pro Tempore, according toCNNsources. They shared withThe Washington Postthat many Republicans are considering Jordan as the next option for the speakership, which could be decided in a vote during the Friday morning conference.

Scalise has no plans to endorse another speaker candidate at this time, reportsAxios.

source: people.com