'God already gave me another chance at life': Steve Scalise announces bid for House speakership

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) has announced a bid for the House speakership.

Scalise, who survived being shot in 2017, announced earlier this year that he was battling cancer. But he later provided a positive update, noting that "the cancer has dropped dramatically" due to chemotherapy.

"God already gave me another chance at life. I believe we were all put here for a purpose. This next chapter won't be easy, but I know what it takes to fight and I am prepared for the battles that lie ahead. I humbly ask you for your support on this mission to be your Speaker of the House," Scalise said in a letter to colleagues.

The announcement comes after GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California was removed from the House speaker role on Tuesday, a move that marked the first such ouster in U.S. history, reports indicate.

After eight House Republicans joined with Democrats to vote in favor of booting McCarthy from the speaker's slot, the former speaker announced that he would not seek the position again.

Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio has also announced that he is seeking the role.

"The problems we face are challenging, but they are not insurmountable. We can focus on the changes that improve the country and unite us in offering real solutions. But no matter what we do, we must do it together as a conference. I respectfully ask for your support for Speaker of the House of Representatives," Jordan noted in a letter to colleagues.

GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has thrown his support behind Jordan.

The Wall Street Journal reported that, according to GOP Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, Republican Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma informed the Texas delegation that he plans to seek the speakership.

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