Republican Rep. Jim Jordan Fails to Secure House Speaker’s Position in Second Vote

Republican Rep. Jim Jordan has once again failed to win the House Speaker’s gavel in a second vote, performing worse than he did during the initial round of voting. This raises concerns about Jordan’s ability to move forward in the face of significant opposition, leaving the House in a state of paralysis. Despite the setback, Jordan has stated his intention to remain in the race, and a third speaker vote has been scheduled for Thursday. The absence of a speaker has left the chamber in a precarious position, with ongoing conflicts abroad and a potential government shutdown looming next month. Interestingly, Donald Trump’s endorsement of Jordan has shown limited influence in the speaker’s race.

The interim House Speaker, Patrick McHenry, has not ruled out supporting a GOP resolution to expand his powers in the role. McHenry’s focus is on ensuring that Rep. Jim Jordan is elected, even after his second failed bid for the gavel. McHenry stated that House GOP leadership wants to hold another speaker vote on Thursday, but the final decision rests with Jordan. Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a primary opponent of Jordan’s speakership bid, has predicted that Jordan will lose an even greater number of GOP floor votes on a third ballot. Diaz-Balart has consistently voted for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise for speaker in both rounds of voting. The third speaker vote is scheduled for Thursday at noon ET.

There is ongoing debate within the House Republican Conference regarding a resolution to temporarily empower interim Speaker Patrick McHenry. Jordan’s allies have actively tried to undermine the resolution, calling it an abuse of power. However, to pass the resolution, Democratic support may be necessary due to intraparty divisions within the GOP. The House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, has not yet made a decision on whether Democrats would back the resolution. Meanwhile, Republican proponents of the resolution are working to secure as much Republican support as possible before bringing it to the floor. Rep. Dave Joyce of Ohio has been leading these efforts. His resolution would grant McHenry extended powers until early January or the election of a new permanent speaker. The exact specifics of these expanded powers are not yet clear.

Jim Jordan remains determined to continue in the race for House Speaker. When asked what he hopes to achieve in a third vote, Jordan stated that Republicans will keep working towards selecting a speaker as the House is in dire need of one. While uncertain if he will ultimately be chosen, Jordan believes he can still secure the position. The GOP conference will not have a meeting tonight.

Rep. Jordan does not anticipate another floor vote for House Speaker tonight, but will discuss the schedule with interim Speaker Patrick McHenry. Jordan plans to stay in the race, emphasizing the need for the House to have a speaker. Whether the resolution to empower McHenry should be brought up for a vote will be decided by the Republican Conference. McHenry has been serving as interim speaker since Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the position earlier this month.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has stated that his caucus has not yet reached a decision on whether to support a Republican resolution granting temporary legislative powers to interim Speaker Patrick McHenry. Jeffries emphasized the priority of stopping Jim Jordan’s bid for the speakership. Democrats would consider voting for the resolution if it is brought forward by Ohio Rep. Dave Joyce. Nevertheless, Democratic support is crucial as the GOP remains divided on the measure. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark hopes that Republicans will reach out to Democrats following Jordan’s second failed bid for the speakership. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi states that it is now up to Republicans to act, as they have the majority in the House.

Arkansas Rep. Steve Womack criticizes the tactics of Jim Jordan’s allies, describing them as “attack, attack, attack” against members who have voted against Jordan’s speakership bid. Womack, who supports House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, believes that the 22 Republicans who have opposed Jordan’s bid differ from the 20 who initially opposed Kevin McCarthy’s speakership bid in January. Womack argues that the level of opposition is more significant when members are opposed on principle and face attacks. He suggests that attacking members who do not support Jordan’s bid has been ineffective in winning their support.

Interim House Speaker Patrick McHenry remains focused on getting Rep. Jim Jordan elected as Speaker. McHenry did not comment on whether he would accept expanded powers that some Republicans are discussing, and he is unsure whether there will be a conference meeting today.