Jordan Undeterred in Speaker Bid Amid Intense GOP Opposition: House Left in Limbo
The House remains deadlocked in a leadership crisis as GOP Rep Jim Jordan of Ohio persists in his speaker bid, defying strong opposition from Republicans
The Republican leadership crisis in the House shows no signs of resolution as GOP Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio persists in his campaign for speaker, despite facing significant opposition. Despite two unsuccessful attempts to secure the position, Jordan, known for his firm conservative stance, remains committed to his candidacy. The House may potentially hold a third vote for speaker, but a date has not been confirmed.
House Republicans are experiencing increasing tensions as the pressure escalates to reach a resolution for the standoff. Demonstrating mounting opposition to his candidacy, Jordan performed even worse in a subsequent vote on Wednesday compared to the previous day's vote.
Following the unsuccessful speaker vote on Wednesday, a group of Republicans who are against Jordan made it apparent that they will not be influenced, and some of them expressed anger regarding what they perceived as a campaign of pressure orchestrated by Jordan's supporters.
The House is at a standstill since Republicans have been unable to unite behind a suitable replacement for Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy, the former speaker, was removed from his position in a significant vote by a faction of conservative hardliners. Presently, it is the moderate and mainstream Republicans who are taking a firm position. Some are worried about the possibility of having a conservative firebrand like Jordan as the new speaker, while others are angered by the hardliners' involvement in McCarthy's removal and their subsequent opposition to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise's bid for speaker.
As the likelihood of any candidate securing the 217 votes needed to win the gavel becomes increasingly uncertain, certain Republicans are advocating for the expansion of powers for interim speaker GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina. However, this proposed move has sparked controversy and caused a division among Republicans.
The seat of the US House Speaker stands empty as the House of Representatives continues voting for a new speaker at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on October 17, 2023.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
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Some of Jordans opponents have predicted that the Ohio Republican will lose even more support in Thursdays speaker vote.
During the initial round of voting, 20 House Republicans opposed Jordan. However, in the subsequent round, the figure increased to 22. Four additional Republicans voted against Jordan, while two shifted their support in his favor.
Considering the limited majority held by House GOP, Jordan cannot afford to lose many votes. The substantial number of votes against him thus far makes it highly unlikely for him to secure the position for now.
Jordan has become a highly divisive figure in the speakers' battle. He is a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump and was instrumental in establishing the uncompromising House Freedom Caucus. Being the chairman of the influential House Judiciary Committee, he has played a significant role in the investigations led by the House GOP.
His attempts to secure the speakership have revealed the limitations of Trump's sway in this race, despite the former president endorsing Jordan.
McCarthy had to go through 15 rounds of voting in January before finally securing the gavel. Nonetheless, certain Republicans contend that considering the House's current speakerless situation, the ongoing race should not continue for such an extended period.
A fast-approaching government shutdown deadline and conflict unfolding abroad has also fueled calls for Republicans to bring an end to the leadership vacuum as soon as possible.
