Jim Jordan’s Speaker bid falters with second loss.
Jim Jordan Falls Short in Bid for House Speaker
Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) faced disappointment as he lost a second ballot for House speaker, receiving one less vote than in the previous round.
A total of 199 members voted for Jordan on Wednesday, down from the 200 votes he received the day before. This time, 22 Republican defectors chose to support other candidates within the GOP. Meanwhile, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the Democratic nominee, secured 212 votes.
Since no candidate obtained the necessary simple majority, the search for an electable speaker continues. Following the vote, the House entered a recess.
It remains uncertain whether Jordan will continue his campaign or withdraw. Some of his supporters have pledged to back him for up to 100 rounds or until he emerges victorious.
Earlier this month, the GOP-led House voted to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as speaker, with eight Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. Subsequently, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) surpassed Jordan to become the GOP’s next nominee. However, Scalise withdrew when he failed to gather enough support within the Republican conference. Consequently, Jordan secured the GOP nomination for speaker.
The urgency to select a new speaker this month arises from the possibility of a government shutdown by mid-November if a spending deal is not reached, and members are eager to address the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Some have proposed granting expanded authority to Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), who currently serves as speaker pro tempore, to handle legislative matters in the short term. Former House Speakers Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and John Boehner (R-OH) have expressed support for this idea.
If Jordan ultimately fails to secure the position, reports suggest that other Republicans may enter the race as candidates. Democrats have proposed a “bipartisan path forward.”
Jordan, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, the leading contender for the 2024 presidential race. McCarthy and Scalise both voted for Jordan in the previous rounds.
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The 20 Republicans who opposed 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 supporting Jordan varied, with some citing political disagreements and others feeling that their districts’ needs were not being addressed.
The Tuesday holdouts consisted of House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) and Representatives 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).
On Wednesday, only two of the Tuesday holdouts, LaMalfa and Spartz, voted for Jordan. The remaining defectors were joined by Representatives Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Pete Stauber (R-MN). Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), who missed the Monday ballot to attend a funeral, voted for Jordan.
Aside from Jordan and Jeffries, other individuals who received votes for speaker included Scalise, McCarthy, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), Granger, House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Representatives Byron Donalds (R-FL), Mike Garcia (R-CA), former Representatives Lee Zeldin (R-NY) and Candice Miller (R-MI), and Boehner.
The U.S. Constitution does not explicitly state that the speaker must be a current member of the House.
What are the reasons for the urgency in selecting a new speaker this month?
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The race for the position of House speaker continues with Representative Jim Jordan facing disappointment as he fell short in his bid for the role. Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, received one less vote in the second ballot, with a total of 199 members voting for him, compared to the 200 votes he received in the previous round.
However, Jordan was not the only candidate vying for the position. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic nominee, secured 212 votes, emerging as the leading contender. As no candidate obtained the necessary simple majority, the search for an electable speaker is still ongoing. Following the vote, the House entered a recess.
It remains to be seen whether Jordan will continue his campaign or withdraw. Some of his supporters have pledged to back him for up to 100 rounds or until he emerges victorious. This indicates the determination and loyalty of his supporters.
The race for House speaker has been eventful, with various candidates making their bid for the position. Earlier this month, the GOP-led House voted to remove Representative Kevin McCarthy as speaker, with eight Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. Steve Scalise, the House Majority Leader, initially surpassed Jordan to become the GOP’s next nominee. However, Scalise withdrew when he failed to gather enough support within the Republican conference. Consequently, Jordan secured the GOP nomination for speaker.
The urgency to select a new speaker this month arises from the possibility of a government shutdown by mid-November if a spending deal is not reached. Additionally, members of the House are eager to address the Israel-Hamas conflict, further emphasizing the need for effective leadership.
Some have proposed granting expanded authority to Representative Patrick McHenry, the current speaker pro tempore, to handle legislative matters in the short term. Former House Speakers Newt Gingrich and John Boehner have expressed support for this idea, recognizing the need for stability and continuity in the face of the ongoing challenges.
If Jordan ultimately fails to secure the position of House speaker, reports suggest that other Republicans may enter the race as candidates. Democrats have proposed a “bipartisan path forward,” emphasizing their willingness to work across party lines for the greater benefit of the House and the nation.
It is worth noting that Jordan has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 presidential race. This endorsement highlights the support and trust Jordan enjoys within the Republican party. Notably, both McCarthy and Scalise voted for Jordan in the previous rounds, further indicating the respect and regard he commands among his peers.
The selection of the House speaker is a crucial decision that will impact the legislative agenda and the functioning of the House. It is a position that requires strong leadership, effective communication skills, and the ability to navigate the complexities of the political landscape. As the search for an electable speaker continues, it remains to be seen who will emerge as the frontrunner and ultimately secure the position. Only time will tell how this race unfolds and what it means for the future of the House of Representatives.
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