House postpones second vote for Speaker after Jordan falls short.
The GOP-led House opts not to hold more votes after Jim Jordan fails to win speakership
The Republican-led House decided against holding any further votes on Tuesday following Rep. Jim Jordan‘s unsuccessful bid for the speakership in the first and only ballot of the day.
Congressional aides had reportedly stated that they anticipated a second vote in the evening, but Jordan later announced that the next ballot would take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, although the timing could still change.
“We are going to keep working,” Jordan told reporters, emphasizing that he had engaged in “great discussions” with colleagues.
New — Jim Jordan tells us he’s going to stay in race and warns against cutting deal with Ds to reopen House. “No one in our conference wants to see a coalition government with the Democrats. We are going to keep working. We will get to the votes.”
He’s at risk of more R NO votes pic.twitter.com/Uso60IhiAr— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 17, 2023
Two hundred Republicans voted for Jordan in the House floor vote earlier on Tuesday, while 20 GOP members chose other candidates within their party. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the Democratic nominee, received 212 votes. However, no one secured a simple majority required for victory, leading Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), serving as speaker pro tempore, to adjourn the House.
The 20 Republicans who did not support Jordan’s bid on Tuesday included members of the Armed Services Committee, the Appropriations Committee, and representatives from districts that voted for President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Their reasons for not backing Jordan varied, with some citing political disagreements and others expressing concerns about their respective districts’ needs.
A few GOP holdouts pushed for an immediate second ballot on Tuesday, which could have posed a challenge to Jordan if more Republicans voted against him. There had been speculation that he might lose support without making certain “changes.”
Meanwhile, Jordan has been actively working to rally more GOP members to his cause. One of the meetings he reportedly had was with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), who defeated Jordan last week to become the GOP’s nominee for speaker. Scalise withdrew from the race on Thursday due to insufficient support within the Republican conference. Jordan secured the GOP nomination for speaker in his second attempt on Friday.
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There is a growing sense of urgency to reach a resolution as it has been two weeks since the House voted to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as speaker, a potential government shutdown looms by mid-November, and members are eager to address the Israel-Hamas conflict.
During the past two weeks, alternative paths forward have been suggested, including granting McHenry expanded powers to handle legislative business in the short term. Others have proposed a consensus candidate with bipartisan support.
It is also possible that another GOP candidate could gain momentum. GOP defectors voted for Scalise, McCarthy, and former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), among others, but none of them received double-digit votes. The U.S. Constitution does not explicitly state that the speaker must be a current member of the House.
U.S. House Speaker Election – First Ballot
Jeffries: 212
Jordan: 200
Scalise: 7
McCarthy: 6
Zeldin: 3
Garcia: 1
Emmer: 1
Cole: 1
Massie: 1*217 votes needed to win the gavel*
No speaker elected. pic.twitter.com/xG1Uw9ZHHl
— CSPAN (@cspan) October 17, 2023
The GOP members who did not vote for Jordan on Tuesday included House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) and Reps. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Don Bacon (R-NE), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Jenn Kiggans (R-VA), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Mike Lawler (R-NY), John Rutherford (R-FL), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Steve Womack (R-AR), John James (R-MI), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Ken Buck (R-CO), and Victoria Spartz (R-IN).
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), a supporter of Jordan, missed the vote on Tuesday to attend a funeral but is expected to be back at the U.S. Capitol by Wednesday. McCarthy and Scalise voted for Jordan, as did Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), who challenged Jordan for the GOP nomination in the second round.
Jordan, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, the leading contender for the GOP in the 2024 presidential race.
What are the reasons behind Jim Jordan’s failed bid for the speakership and the divisions within the Republican Party?
House of Representatives is now faced with the task of finding a candidate who can unite the Republican conference and secure the necessary majority to become the next speaker.
Jordan’s failed bid for the speakership highlights the divisions within the Republican Party. While he is a staunch conservative and a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, there are members within the party who do not feel that he is the right person to lead them at this time. His failure to secure the speakership on the first ballot is a clear indication that there are Republicans who are not willing to rally behind him.
The decision not to hold further votes on Tuesday suggests that there is a need for more time and deliberation before a new candidate can be put forward. This delay could be seen as a sign that Republicans are still searching for a candidate who can bridge the gap between different factions within the party and unite them behind a common agenda.
In the meantime, the House is faced with significant challenges that require immediate attention. The potential government shutdown and the Israel-Hamas conflict are pressing issues that need to be addressed. It is crucial for the House to have a strong and unified leadership to navigate through these challenges.
Alternative paths forward, such as granting expanded powers to McHenry or finding a consensus candidate with bipartisan support, have been suggested. These options could provide a temporary solution while Republicans continue to search for a long-term leader.
It is also possible that another GOP candidate could emerge as a frontrunner in the coming days. Scalise, McCarthy, and Zeldin received some support from Republican defectors, indicating that there are other candidates who could gain momentum and potentially secure the necessary majority.
Ultimately, the failed bid for the speakership by Jim Jordan and the decision not to hold further votes on Tuesday highlight the need for the Republican Party to find a candidate who can unite its members and lead them effectively. As the House faces pressing challenges, the party must come together and select a leader who can navigate through these difficult times and represent the interests of the American people.
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