Palmer withdraws from consideration for U.S. Speaker

Alabama Rep. Gary Palmer has pulled his name from consideration to be Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. In a statement, Palmer (R-Hoover) said he withdrew to “expedite the process” of deciding on a new speaker to replace Rep. Kevin McCarthy. “Congress and the American people needed a Republican Speaker three weeks ago. If withdrawing my name can help expedite that process even a little, then I will gladly step aside,” said Palmer. “The candidate forum and individual conversations have given me great hope for the future of the 118th Congress. All the candidates are committed to idea