Unyielding Jordan Vows to Forge Ahead with Speaker Battle Amid Intensifying Pressure to Step Down
Despite facing internal opposition and an uncertain path to victory, Republican Rep Jim Jordan remains determined in his bid for speaker, displaying resilience and determination in the face of challenges
Republican Rep. Jim Jordan remains determined to pursue his candidacy for speaker, despite encountering significant resistance from his own party and lacking a definite path to victory.
As the House prepares for yet another showdown on Friday, with a third speaker vote anticipated, it becomes evident that the Ohio Republican refuses to back down, even though he falls short of the required 217 votes to secure the speakership. Two previous attempts have proven unsuccessful.
Despite his efforts to sway holdouts, Jordan's opposition continues to grow, according to several Republican members who object to his nomination. On the second ballot, he lost 22 Republicans, and it is predicted that he could lose around 29 on the third ballot. In an attempt to revive his bid, sources claim that Jordan has made some headway with a group of holdouts, particularly among New York Republicans. Unlike the other holdouts, these New Yorkers have specific demands and priorities, specifically related to their districts, such as the state and local tax deduction.
However, there are individuals who oppose Jordan on principle and remain steadfast in their opposition despite ongoing threats against them. This is indicative of the challenges he continues to face. On Thursday, Jordan held a meeting with these holdouts, but many of them left unchanged in their stance.
Certain Republicans who are against Jordan have criticized the alleged pressure tactics used by his allies to sway their position. Additionally, several Republicans who opposed Jordan's bid for speakership have reported receiving hostile phone calls, threatening messages, and even death threats after their votes. Jordan has openly condemned these threats.
Rep. Jim Jordan arrives for a House Republican Conference meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Friday, October 13.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
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The closed-door House GOP conference meeting on Thursday was described as heated by multiple sources, with some members urging Jordan to withdraw from the race. A passionate discussion also took place regarding the threats faced by certain Jordan supporters. Members who left the meeting later characterized it as a platform to express grievances, with tensions running high.
The House continues to be in a state of paralysis until a speaker is elected, posing a dangerous situation considering the approaching deadline for government funding and the possibility of a shutdown.
The vacuum left by the removal of Kevin McCarthy, caused by a group of staunch conservatives, coincides with ongoing conflicts: Israel's war with Hamas and Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression. The struggle for the speakership has been ongoing for over two weeks without any resolution in sight.
Several Republicans seeking a solution to the deadlock have proposed enhancing the authority of interim Speaker Rep. Patrick McHenry - a contentious step that would push the House into unfamiliar territory. However, there is significant resistance among members of the Republican conference towards this notion.
This report includes contributions from CNN's Manu Raju.
