Rep. Jim Jordan Makes Second Attempt for House Speaker Amid Opposition

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Despite facing a setback in his initial bid for the position of House Speaker, Rep. Jim Jordan is preparing for another crucial vote to secure the role. The staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump faces mounting resistance as his detractors weigh alternatives.

In anticipation of the vote set for Wednesday morning, Jordan made an unanticipated call for party cohesion. Using social media, the pugnacious Chairman of the Judiciary Committee exhorted fellow Republicans to cease internal conflict and unite.

However, Jordan’s plea did not sway a notably large and ideologically varied bloc of 20 Republicans. Many found his approach too uncompromising and considered him ill-suited for the highly influential position of House Speaker, which follows the Vice President in the line of succession for the presidency.

A scheduled additional vote on Tuesday was delayed due to an impasse in the House, as Jordan strived to secure support from Republican colleagues to fill the vacancy left by the deposed Kevin McCarthy.

“In ongoing efforts, we continue to engage with colleagues,” Jordan remarked late on Tuesday at the Capitol.

The Republican Party has been grappling with internal divisions since McCarthy’s abrupt ouster by a faction of hard-liners, setting off a contentious battle for control of a vital seat in the American political landscape. What was once a procedural formality, the vote for House Speaker has now become a hotly contested affair.

During the initial voting round, 200 Republicans backed Jordan while 212 threw their support behind Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. No candidate achieved a majority, as 20 Republicans voted for other candidates. Given the current Republican majority of 221-212, Jordan would need to gain the favor of most of these dissenting GOP members to prevail.

Jeffries immediately seized the opportunity to call for bipartisan cooperation to restore order in the House— a potentially groundbreaking development in congressional history.

Lawmakers from both sides are exploring unprecedented avenues for operating the House, including granting extended authority to interim Speaker Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., or another temporary appointee.

Veteran Republicans, Newt Gingrich and John Boehner, both former Speakers, expressed skepticism that Jordan could amass the votes needed, even though Gingrich admitted his personal liking for him. Their remarks emphasize the unprecedented and unsettled nature of the current political climate.

While public sentiment, fueled by Trump loyalists, exerts pressure on the resisting lawmakers, it remains uncertain how long they can maintain their opposition to Jordan. Some indicate that their initial vote was merely symbolic, signaling a potential shift in support for subsequent ballots.

The dissenters include a heterogeneous group of pragmatic Republicans. Some are long-serving members and committee chairs concerned about governance, while others are new entrants representing districts that favor President Joe Biden over Trump.

Resentment is growing among these Republicans, as many feel coerced into supporting Jordan under threat of facing primary challenges. Additional dissatisfaction stems from the protracted nature of the selection process.

Among those resisting, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., opted for McCarthy during the preliminary voting. Another, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., later stated he would not yield to intimidation concerning his vote.

Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, another dissenter, cited Jordan’s role in the events leading to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and his refusal to acknowledge Biden’s 2020 electoral victory as points of concern.

Jordan’s political journey has not been without hurdles. Known more as a disruptive force than an adept legislator, questions arise about his ability to lead Congress through numerous formidable challenges both domestic and international.

In a post-vote discussion, Jordan spoke with McCarthy, who had also recently failed to garner enough support for the Speaker’s role.

Jordan, who first assumed office in 2006, has a scant legislative record and faces scrutiny over his past. He has denied allegations from former wrestlers he coached at Ohio State University, who claim he was aware of misconduct by an Ohio doctor.

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Contributions to this report were made by Kevin Freking and Mary Clare Jalonick of Big Big News.

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More about House Speaker Bid

• Rep. Jim Jordan’s Leadership Bid
• Initial House Speaker Vote Results
• Reasons for Opposition to Jim Jordan
• Impact of Leadership Battle on Republican Party
• Alternative Plans for House Speaker
• Influence of Public Sentiment
• Challenges Facing Jim Jordan
• Disruption in House Functioning
• Views of Former Republican Speakers