House Republicans Vote to Drop Jim Jordan as Speaker Designee
In a secret ballot on Friday, House Republicans voted to remove Rep. Jim Jordan as the speaker designee after he failed for the third time to secure the gavel. This decision follows a series of unsuccessful attempts by Jordan to win the speakership.
According to multiple lawmakers, Jordan accepted the outcome of the vote. In the latest floor vote, 25 House Republicans voted against him, a higher number compared to the previous rounds. This significant opposition made it difficult for Jordan to secure the gavel, especially given the GOP’s narrow majority.
The prolonged battle for the speakership has caused a standstill in the House of Representatives. With no elected speaker, the House faces challenges as it approaches a government funding deadline and the possibility of a shutdown.
The speaker vacuum was triggered by the ousting of Kevin McCarthy, led by a bloc of hardline conservatives. This situation coincides with the ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas and Ukraine and Russia.
The number of Republicans voting against Jordan increased with each round. Three new GOP votes in opposition were Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Kean of New Jersey, and Marc Molinaro of New York. Kean explained his position by stating that it has become evident that Chairman Jordan does not have the necessary votes to become Speaker.
Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas, who previously voted for Jordan, expressed his intention to vote for Donald J. Trump if there is another speaker ballot. This further indicates a potential loss of support for Jordan if he continues to hold votes.
GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida revealed that the eight Republicans who supported ousting McCarthy sent a letter to their colleagues urging them to vote for Jordan. They are willing to accept consequences, including censure, sanction, suspension, or removal from the Republican conference, to achieve Jordan’s election.
Several Republicans who opposed Jordan’s speakership bid have faced backlash, including angry calls, menacing messages, and death threats. Jordan has condemned these threats.
A closed-door House GOP conference meeting on Thursday became heated, with members encouraging Jordan to withdraw from the race. The meeting also included an emotional discussion regarding the threats faced by Jordan holdouts. Tensions ran high during this airing of grievances.
To break the impasse, some Republicans have suggested expanding the powers of interim Speaker Rep. Patrick McHenry. However, there is widespread opposition within the Republican conference to this idea, further complicating the situation.
As the battle for the speakership continues, the House remains at a standstill, facing critical challenges and the need for a resolution to ensure smooth governance.