Rep. Jim Jordan Unsuccessful in Third Attempt for House Speaker Role

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On Friday, Rep. Jim Jordan faced another defeat in his quest for the House Speaker’s gavel, as a consistent number of moderate Republicans dismissed his candidacy. These Republicans indicated that neither inducements nor threats would secure their votes for Jordan, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump.

Despite a factionalized GOP majority, Republicans seem to lack a cohesive strategy for electing a new House Speaker and resuming stalled Congressional activity. This leadership vacuum emerged when former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was forced out by hardliners at the beginning of the month.

Before the voting commenced, Jordan remained resolute, declaring in a press conference at the Capitol that “The American people are hungry for change.” Leveraging his Ohioan heritage, Jordan, who enjoys significant popularity among the GOP’s activist base, likened his underdog campaign to the historical feats of American innovators like the Wright brothers.

Kevin McCarthy himself endorsed Jordan on the House floor, describing him as a competent legislator open to compromise—a characterization that elicited laughter from Democratic lawmakers. McCarthy asserted that Jordan was “forthright, honest, and reliable.”

On the Democratic side, Leader Hakeem Jeffries was nominated, with Rep. Katherine Clark labeling Jordan—a critic of the 2020 election certification—as “a threat to democracy.” Clark insisted, “We need a speaker worthy of wielding the gavel.”

Jordan’s third bid for the Speaker role seemed doomed to fail, primarily due to the opposition from centrist Republicans disturbed by the aggressive tactics employed to gain their support. Harassing phone calls and even reported death threats were part of the unfortunate landscape.

Jordan’s standing continued to deteriorate as the vote proceeded, showing no improvement over the 20 and then 22 GOP members he lost in the earlier rounds this week.

For over two weeks, the House of Representatives has been paralyzed, hindering legislative processes at a time when the nation faces multiple domestic and international challenges. The GOP majority appears to be at an impasse, with no clear strategy to resolve the ongoing turmoil.

With the current House composition standing at 221 Republicans to 212 Democrats, any candidate can afford to lose only a few votes. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., noted post a Thursday meeting that Jordan lacked the requisite support and suggested that some lawmakers merely want Jordan to withdraw.

Unorthodox suggestions, such as empowering the interim Speaker Pro Tempore, Rep. Patrick McHenry, were swiftly dismissed by Jordan’s most conservative allies. Future actions remain uncertain, with a visibly frustrated GOP caucus predicting that the House could remain inactive until a mid-November deadline to approve Congressional funding.

Despite dwindling support, Jordan appeared to be defiant, willing to outlast his opposition even though his pathway to the Speakership seemed to be closing.

The challenge facing the GOP was summed up by Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., who remarked, “What this majority has done is prove it’s not a normal majority.”

While Jordan remains steadfast, critics within his party view him as too radical for such a pivotal role in American governance, one that puts him second in line for the presidency. Additionally, allegations from his past, including his denial of claims that he knew about abuse allegations during his time as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University, cast further doubt on his suitability for the role.

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More about House Speaker bid

• Overview of House Speaker’s Role
• Profile of Rep. Jim Jordan
• Recent History of GOP Division in Congress
• Challenges Faced by the 117th U.S. Congress
• Kevin McCarthy’s Tenure as House Speaker
• The Procedure for Electing a New House Speaker
• House of Representatives Current Composition
• The Role and Powers of the Speaker Pro Tempore in the House