Resistance to Jim Jordan’s bid for speaker of the house persists, despite a decrease in opposition.
Rep. Jim Jordan Makes Progress in House Speaker Bid
According to a GOP source familiar with his whip efforts, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) has successfully reduced the number of opponents to his House speaker bid to less than a dozen. This significant progress demonstrates Jordan’s ability to garner support from members of his conference, despite 55 of them stating on Friday that they would not vote for him on the House floor after he secured his party’s internal nomination.
A floor vote is scheduled for Tuesday, and Jordan has boldly declared that he will proceed to the floor that day, even without having secured the necessary 217 votes. To further build on this momentum, Jordan circulated a ”Dear Colleague” letter on Monday morning, addressing concerns about the unexpected and chaotic chain of events leading up to his nomination.
These events included eight Republicans voting alongside Democrats to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) securing the internal nomination, only to face opposition from hard-liners who refused to support the new nominee.
“We’ve discussed frustrations about the treatment of Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise and the events of the past month,” Jordan wrote. “In these conversations, we’ve also discussed your thoughts on how we can best move forward. And we must move forward.”
Jordan experienced a breakthrough on Monday with some of his toughest critics, who had previously stated their refusal to vote for him on the floor. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), who supports funding Ukraine unlike Jordan, announced his support after engaging in productive conversations with the Ohio Republican. Similarly, Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), a top appropriator responsible for defense funding, and Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), a staunch Scalise ally, both revealed their decision to support Jordan.
However, there is still confusion surrounding the exact number and identities of members who oppose Jordan. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), a strong supporter of Jordan, stated on a radio show that while he doesn’t have an exact count, he believes the number of holdouts is “somewhere south of 10.” Other GOP members shared similar sentiments, estimating the number of hard “no’s” to be around seven or nine.
Regardless of the exact count, any number exceeding four members against Jordan could jeopardize his chances. This is why Jordan’s team is determined to take the vote to the floor, even without the necessary 217 votes, in order to identify and court potential supporters.
Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR), a senior appropriator, expressed doubt that anyone in the Republican conference could currently secure 217 votes. He suggested that if this becomes apparent, bipartisan collaboration may be necessary.
While Womack did not disclose his own voting intentions for Tuesday’s floor vote, he acknowledged that many appropriators are concerned about the prospect of Jordan becoming speaker. He cited Jordan’s previous vote against the continuing resolution, which could have led to a government shutdown, as a cause for concern among appropriators.
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Can Jim Jordan garner enough support to secure the position of House speaker and lead the party towards achieving shared goals
Rward as a conference and work towards achieving our shared goals.”
In his letter, Jordan emphasized the need for unity within the Republican Party and pledged to work towards healing the divisions that have arisen within the conference. He acknowledged the frustrations and concerns of his colleagues and expressed his commitment to addressing them in a constructive and inclusive manner.
Despite the challenges and opposition he has faced, Jordan remains confident in his ability to win over enough support to become the next House speaker. He has been actively engaging with his colleagues, listening to their concerns, and making a compelling case for why he is the right choice to lead the party.
Jordan’s bid for House speaker comes at a critical time for the Republican Party. With the midterm elections approaching, the party needs strong and effective leadership to rally its members and mobilize supporters. As an experienced lawmaker and influential figure within the conservative movement, Jordan has positioned himself as a viable candidate who can successfully navigate the challenges ahead.
If elected as House speaker, Jordan has outlined several key priorities that he intends to focus on. These include advancing conservative policies, promoting fiscal responsibility, and restoring trust and transparency in government. He has also expressed his commitment to protecting individual liberties and defending the Constitution.
As Tuesday’s floor vote approaches, the level of support for Jordan’s bid will become clearer. It remains to be seen if he can garner enough votes to secure the position of House speaker, but his progress thus far is an indication of his resilience and ability to rally support within his conference.
Regardless of the outcome, Jordan’s bid for House speaker has already had a significant impact on the Republican Party. It has sparked important discussions and debates about the direction the party should take and the type of leadership it needs. Ultimately, this process will shape the party’s future and influence its success in the upcoming elections.
Whether or not Jordan becomes the next House speaker, his efforts to unite and mobilize the Republican Party should be commended. As the party moves forward, it will need individuals like Jordan who can bridge divides, foster collaboration, and inspire a shared vision for a stronger and more prosperous America.
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