Republican Lawmakers Deny Rep. Jim Jordan the Position of House Speaker in Initial Vote, Suggesting Continued Internal Strife

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In a move that foreshadows continuing internal unrest, Rep. Jim Jordan was denied the role of House Speaker by Republican lawmakers in an initial vote on Tuesday. Jordan, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, fell short of securing the required GOP majority to assume control of the gavel, thanks to 20 unexpected abstentions.

Subsequent voting was deferred, effectively causing a legislative gridlock, as Jordan scrambles to consolidate support from his Republican peers in his bid to replace the deposed Kevin McCarthy. Some Republicans remain hesitant to cast their vote for Jordan, perceiving the Ohio representative as excessively radical for the high-stakes role of House Speaker, who is second in the line of succession for the presidency. The next round of voting is anticipated to occur on Wednesday.

“As we continue our efforts, I remain optimistic,” Jordan commented, as night descended upon the Capitol.

The sudden ousting of McCarthy has catalyzed two weeks of tense internal discord among Republicans, transforming what used to be a routine Congressional procedure—the election of the House Speaker—into yet another contentious battle for control.

After the initial vote, Jordan expressed that he was undeterred and hopeful for better results in future ballots. Despite this, Tuesday passed without additional voting. “We are confident,” he stated while briefly stepping into a leadership office.

In the vote, 200 Republicans supported Jordan, while 212 voted for Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. With no candidate receiving a clear majority and 20 Republicans abstaining, Jordan is under pressure to win over most of his party dissenters for a victory, especially as Republicans hold a majority in the House.

Those refusing to back Jordan include a diverse group of pragmatists, from seasoned lawmakers concerned with governance to newcomers whose constituents are more inclined to support President Joe Biden over Trump.

External pressures, most notably from media figures like Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity and Trump’s public endorsements, are exerting influence, making the durability of these holdouts uncertain. Although Jordan has succeeded in converting a significant number of skeptics within a short time span, it has not been sufficient for victory.

“I anticipate that Jim Jordan will secure the votes soon,” the former president remarked outside a Manhattan courthouse, where he faces charges related to business fraud.

The path to leadership has been steep for Jordan, the confrontational chair of the Judiciary Committee and a founding member of the conservative Freedom Caucus. Jordan’s legislative skill set has been under scrutiny, raising questions about his ability to navigate Congress during challenging times, including domestic threats like a potential federal shutdown and international issues such as aid requests for Ukraine and Israel.

With the Republican majority in the House being a slim 221-212, Jordan can afford only minimal defections to reach the 217-vote majority threshold, barring any further absences.

Democrat Hakeem Jeffries intervened swiftly, urging bipartisan efforts to restore the House’s functionality, a sentiment that was echoed by both sides of the aisle.

Amid this atmosphere, various lawmakers revealed their preferred candidates. Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, for example, cast his vote for McCarthy, causing a stir within the chamber.

Jordan’s ongoing involvement in controversies, such as his role leading up to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack and his refusal to acknowledge Biden’s 2020 victory, remains a concern among some Republican legislators.

“Jordan must acknowledge the election outcome if he aspires to lead the party, particularly during a presidential election cycle,” stated Republican Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado.

Tensions continue to run high within the Republican caucus, exacerbated by party infighting and the protracted nature of the speaker election process.

First elected to Congress in 2006, Jordan’s legislative achievements are minimal, and questions about his past continue to linger. Jordan has vehemently denied allegations from his time as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University, where he was accused of being aware of inappropriate conduct by an Ohio doctor.

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

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More about House Speaker election

• Jim Jordan’s Congressional Profile
• Overview of the Role of House Speaker
• The Republican Party’s Internal Struggles
• Former President Donald Trump’s Influence on GOP
• Recent Events Leading to the House Speaker Election
• Details on House Majority and Minority
• Implications of Failing to Elect a House Speaker
• Profile of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries