Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan is in trouble. The conservative lawmaker has failed to become House speaker after two rounds of voting.
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pa.) admitted that Jordan might not receive more than 200 votes before Wednesday’s roll call. He also hinted that moderates and institutionalists could be persuaded with enough concessions, though that prediction sounds increasingly optimistic after Jordan lost momentum.
Ultimately, 22 Republicans did not support Jordan on Wednesday, a higher number of defections than in any of Kevin McCarthy’s 15 rounds.
Bipartisan support grows for a temporary speaker.
Speculation has grown that a bipartisan coalition will give Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), the speaker pro tempore, more power to lead while the speaker vote continues. The temporary resolution would give McHenry the power to pass a continuing resolution, a supplemental package for Ukraine and Israel, etc.
Republican Congressman Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) may introduce a privileged resolution that would make Rep. McHenry interim speaker. Reports suggest that Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) is willing to consider this possibility to put an end to the current political stalemate on Capitol Hill. However, Democrats are expected to demand further concessions before casting their support in favor of McHenry. It is also unlikely that Jordan’s staunchest allies will support McHenry, at least at first.
It became clear that Jordan was in trouble halfway through the first round of voting yesterday. Ultimately, 20 Republicans voted “no,” more than double the number that chose to jettison Kevin McCarthy a couple of weeks ago.
With a historically narrow GOP majority, Jordan can only afford to lose four votes.
What can the House do without a speaker?
The impasse among House Republicans comes as the Biden administration urges Congress to pass a new weapons package for Israel and Ukraine. Without a new speaker, the chamber will unlikely be able to hold votes on such legislation. Congress also faces a government funding deadline on Nov. 17.
Most Republican holdouts Tuesday voted for Scalise and McCarthy despite both men pledging their support to Jordan.
Four Republicans, including former Rep. Lee Zeldin (N.Y.), received votes from GOP colleagues disillusioned by the pressure campaign to back Jordan.
Jordan spent Tuesday’s recess to lobby his detractors personally. Some Republicans previously hinted that their patience with supporting Jordan over multiple rounds of voting would be finite.
Especially considering House Majority Leader Steve Scalise felt compelled to withdraw his candidacy before a floor vote.
In an ominous sign last night, Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, a Jordan holdout, showed reporters anonymous texts his wife received threatening him with a GOP primary. Bacon said he was outraged by the heavy-handed tactics.
It remains to be seen what happens next. Republicans and Democrats may agree to an interim speaker. Other potential candidates include Tom Cole (Okla.) and Tom Emmer (Minn.).
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