Rep. Jim Jordan’s Latest Bid for House Speaker Falls Short, Prompting GOP to Reevaluate Options

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Republican Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio suffered yet another setback in his quest to become Speaker of the House on Wednesday, failing to secure the role in a second round of voting. Despite this, the ardent Donald Trump supporter remains undeterred, even as his standing within the Republican Party shows signs of waning.

As Republicans grapple with their next moves, some legislators have proposed an unorthodox solution to break the deadlock: temporarily enhancing the powers of the current interim Speaker pro tempore, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., to restore functionality to the House of Representatives. However, this alternative seems improbable at present.

The diminishing odds for Jordan’s speakership became evident as 22 members of his own party opposed him, an increase of two from the initial ballot. Critics within the GOP regard the Ohio lawmaker as too radical for such a high-profile role and have taken issue with the aggressive lobbying by his supporters, which has included instances of intimidation and threats.

Following the unsuccessful vote, Jordan, a co-founder of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus, vowed to continue his efforts, stating, “We’ll keep talking to members, keep working on it.”

Lingering Uncertainty in the House

The impasse has left the House of Representatives at a standstill for 15 days, ever since Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the speakership, a position second only to the presidency in terms of influence. What was once a procedural formality has escalated into an ongoing, acrimonious contest within the Republican Party, with no resolution in sight. As tensions escalate, external events, such as conflicts in Israel and Gaza, underscore the gravity of the House’s operational void.

Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, who voted against Jordan twice, has stated that Jordan needs to withdraw his candidacy to pave the way for a solution.

Party Leadership’s Uncertain Stance

Post-vote, McCarthy and other GOP leaders appeared to cautiously back Jordan, affording him the time he insisted he required, though it remains doubtful that he will manage to secure enough support to prevail. In the meantime, no further action has been planned, adding another day of stasis to the House’s calendar.

Despite holding a slim majority of 221-212 in the House, Republicans have yet to coalesce around a candidate who could win a clear majority. Wednesday’s vote ended with 199 Republicans supporting Jordan and 212 voting for Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Unresolved Tensions

Jordan’s continued defiance has aggravated divisions within his party. Many Republicans are still smarting from the withdrawal of Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who exited the race largely due to a lack of support from Jordan’s faction.

To address the unprecedented stalemate, proposals have been floated to empower an interim Speaker to ensure continuity of operations. These suggestions have gained some traction among veteran Republican politicians, including former Speakers Newt Gingrich and John Boehner.

However, the current interim Speaker, Patrick McHenry, seems disinclined to seize additional authority. He indicated that his role will remain circumscribed by existing rules until a new Speaker is formally elected.

Navigating a Complex Landscape

The opposition to Jordan is comprised of a diverse array of Republican representatives, ranging from experienced legislators to newcomers from districts where Biden is favored over Trump. Despite the endorsement of Trump, and external pressure from various groups, these tactics have backfired for Jordan.

The Ohio representative faces not just a steep political battle but also questions about his leadership skills and past controversies, including allegations from his time as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University. These challenges render the pathway to the speakership increasingly fraught for Jordan.

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Contributions from Kevin Freking and Mary Clare Jalonick of Big Big News were included in this report.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about House Speaker Vote

More about House Speaker Vote

• House Speaker Election Process
• Profile of Rep. Jim Jordan
• Role and Powers of the Speaker of the House
• History of Speaker Elections in the U.S. House of Representatives
• Rep. Patrick McHenry: Profile and Political Stance
• The Republican Freedom Caucus: Origins and Influence
• The Political Divide within the Republican Party
• Understanding the Israel-Hamas Conflict
• Previous Allegations against Jim Jordan
• Recent Statements from Newt Gingrich and John Boehner