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House Approaches Vote on Jim Jordan for Speaker Amid Continued GOP Dissent

by Michael Nguyen
10 comments
Jim Jordan Speaker Vote

Republicans are set to cast votes on Tuesday to potentially elevate Rep. Jim Jordan to the role of Speaker of the House, underscoring the consolidation of hard-right elements within the GOP, led by a key confidant of former President Donald Trump.

In the wake of the removal of Kevin McCarthy, internal conflicts have marred Republican unity, culminating in a crucial vote to decide the next Speaker of the House. A minority of GOP members have withheld their support for Jordan, deeming the Ohio Representative too radical for the influential post, which is second only to the presidency in the U.S. government hierarchy.

Though the resistance within the party persists, external pressures from Trump loyalists, including Fox News commentator Sean Hannity, are mounting, making it uncertain how long the dissenters can hold out. Over the past few days, Jordan has successfully persuaded a considerable number of initial skeptics, consolidating support among Republicans left directionless after McCarthy’s exit.

Prior to the vote, Trump reiterated his endorsement for Jordan, his leading Congressional ally.

“Jim Jordan would serve excellently as Speaker,” declared the former president outside a Manhattan courthouse where he is facing charges related to business fraud. “I anticipate he will secure the necessary votes either today or within the next couple of days.”

Jordan, who chairs the combative Judiciary Committee and is a founding member of the right-wing Freedom Caucus, is often seen more as a provocateur than a legislative tactician. This raises questions about his capability to guide Congress through impending challenges, including a possible federal shutdown, as well as the approval of financial assistance sought by President Joe Biden for Ukraine and Israel in their international conflicts.

Republicans, who have observed their House majority deteriorate into public squabbling, are exasperated. The deadlock has effectively paralyzed legislative processes.

To assume the Speaker’s role, Jordan requires nearly unanimous support from his GOP colleagues in the House floor vote, given that Democrats are poised to back their nominee, Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

With a slim majority in the House—221 Republicans to 212 Democrats—Jordan can ill-afford to lose more than a handful of votes to achieve the required majority of 217, assuming full attendance. The current dissenters include a mix of veteran lawmakers concerned about governance and newcomers representing constituencies that lean toward Biden.

Following a heated meeting at the Capitol on Monday night, Jordan acknowledged, “There are additional individuals we still need to engage with and listen to.”

Among the holdouts is Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, who cites Jordan’s stance on the events leading to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and his refusal to acknowledge Biden’s 2020 electoral win as ongoing concerns.

Nonetheless, Jordan can count on sustained support from Trump as well as grassroots activists who are familiar with him from his media appearances and passionate committee testimonies. GOP insiders indicate that it would be difficult for ordinary members to publicly defy him during the floor vote.

Democrats have vehemently criticized the GOP’s apparent ideological shift, labeling Jordan as the figurehead of the party’s chaotic faction.

Rep. Katherine Clark, the Democratic Whip, has expressed her party’s determination to prevent Republicans from placing “an insurrectionist in the Speaker’s chair.”

Jordan has been a principal ally of Trump, particularly evident during the attack on the Capitol on January 6 by supporters seeking to overturn Trump’s electoral defeat to Biden. Trump subsequently honored Jordan with a Medal of Freedom.

Amid the lingering tension, Republicans remain weary from ongoing internal strife that has rendered Congressional work stagnant. Some resent the strong-arming tactics of Jordan’s backers and feel besieged by threats of primary challenges should they fail to support him.

Further complicating the situation, one GOP office reported receiving email communication from Sean Hannity’s team promoting Jordan. Other Republicans express frustration at the protracted nature of the leadership dispute.

Jordan, first elected in 2006, has a scant legislative record and also faces scrutiny over past allegations. He has previously refuted claims from former wrestlers at Ohio State University that accused him of ignoring complaints of abuse during his tenure as an assistant wrestling coach.


Contributions to this report were made by Kevin Freking, Mary Clare Jalonick, and Jill Colvin in New York.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Jim Jordan Speaker Vote

What is the main issue being discussed in the text?

The main issue discussed is the upcoming vote in the House of Representatives to potentially elect Rep. Jim Jordan as the new Speaker of the House. The text elaborates on the internal divisions within the Republican Party regarding Jordan’s nomination and examines the influence of external pressures from Trump and his allies.

Who are the main figures involved in this situation?

The main figures include Rep. Jim Jordan, who is a candidate for Speaker; former President Donald Trump, who is endorsing Jordan; and various Republican members of the House who are either supporting or opposing Jordan. Democrats, led by their nominee for Speaker, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are also mentioned.

Why is Jim Jordan considered a controversial choice for Speaker?

Jim Jordan is seen as a controversial choice due to his affiliation with the hard-right faction of the Republican Party. He is also criticized for his confrontational style rather than legislative acumen. Concerns have been raised about his role in the events leading up to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and his refusal to acknowledge Joe Biden’s electoral win in 2020.

What challenges would Congress face under Jim Jordan’s leadership?

The challenges Congress might face under Jordan’s leadership include potential legislative gridlock and a further exacerbation of internal GOP divisions. Additionally, questions have been raised about his capability to guide Congress through impending challenges, such as possible federal shutdowns and approval of international aid.

What role is Donald Trump playing in the Speaker vote?

Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Jim Jordan for the position and restated his support prior to the vote. His endorsement is seen as a significant external pressure that could influence the decision of Republican members of the House.

How close is the vote expected to be?

The Republican majority in the House is narrow, with 221 Republicans to 212 Democrats. To secure the role of Speaker, Jordan would need almost full support from his GOP colleagues, as Democrats are expected to back their own nominee. Therefore, the vote is anticipated to be closely contested.

What are the holdouts’ main concerns?

The main concerns of the holdouts within the Republican Party are that Jim Jordan is too extreme for the influential position of Speaker. They worry about his ability to govern effectively and unite the party. Some also cite his stance on the January 6 attack and the 2020 election as points of contention.

How has the public or media influenced the upcoming vote?

Media figures like Fox News commentator Sean Hannity have exerted external pressure, and grassroots activists have been mobilized to support Jim Jordan. This public and media influence adds another layer of complexity to the internal divisions within the Republican Party.

More about Jim Jordan Speaker Vote

  • GOP’s Internal Struggle: The Rise of Jim Jordan
  • The Role of Speaker of the House: Why It Matters
  • Donald Trump’s Influence on Republican Politics
  • The State of the Republican Party: Ideological Divisions
  • The Democratic Response to Jim Jordan’s Speaker Nomination
  • The January 6 Capitol Attack: A Turning Point for American Politics
  • Who is Hakeem Jeffries: Democratic Nominee for Speaker of the House
  • Sean Hannity and Political Influence: The Role of Media in Elections
  • The History and Function of the House Freedom Caucus
  • How a Speaker is Elected in the House of Representatives

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10 comments

UrbanMom October 17, 2023 - 5:23 pm

What’s next? Reality TV deciding our politics? Oh wait, it’s already happening.

Reply
CryptoQueen October 17, 2023 - 7:19 pm

So, Trump’s still pullin strings, huh? Jordan’s like his puppet or what?

Reply
CarFan22 October 18, 2023 - 12:28 am

Politics aside, this is a crazy moment in history. We’re literally watchin a party transform before our eyes.

Reply
GreenEarthLover October 18, 2023 - 5:19 am

Infighting while the planet burns, great. Congress needs to stop this nonsense and focus on the issues!

Reply
LibertyMike October 18, 2023 - 7:37 am

Hannity’s pushin for Jordan? That’s Fox News for you, never miss a chance to stir the pot.

Reply
StockTrader101 October 18, 2023 - 8:30 am

Don’t care who gets it as long as they don’t mess up the market. Jordan or whoever, just get back to work Congress.

Reply
EconomyExpert October 18, 2023 - 11:08 am

Who’s even left in the GOP that wants to govern effectively? Jordan’s all about noise, not much on policy.

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HistoryBuff October 18, 2023 - 4:10 pm

Remember when Speaker of the House was a respectable position? Yeah, me neither.

Reply
JohnDoe1984 October 18, 2023 - 4:16 pm

Man, the GOP’s a mess right now. Jim Jordan as speaker? That’s gonna be a showdown.

Reply
SmallTownJoe October 18, 2023 - 4:53 pm

A house divided cannot stand, or so the saying goes. GOP needs to sort this out, and fast.

Reply

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