In a move to resolve the leadership void within the GOP, conservative Republican Representative Jim Jordan from Ohio is taking charge. He’s bringing the House back to the floor for a crucial vote to determine if he will succeed the ousted Speaker, Kevin McCarthy. This decision comes after weeks of political turmoil and deep divisions within the Republican Party, leaving the House in a state of prolonged inaction.
Jim Jordan, who has gained the support of key holdouts in the lead-up to this vote, is optimistic about securing the 217 votes required to be elected Speaker. However, it’s not entirely clear if Jordan can successfully unify the fractured House Republican conference, as some lawmakers still express their opposition.
The challenge Jim Jordan faces lies in the fact that he can only afford to lose the support of four Republicans to be elected Speaker, given the requirement of a majority vote in the full House. This slim margin was the reason behind McCarthy’s removal, as a group of eight GOP rebels, along with a few House Republicans unhappy with Jordan, could block his ascension.
Nevertheless, Jim Jordan and his allies have made substantial progress in recent days. Jordan has personally engaged with skeptical lawmakers to build support. His supporters outside of Congress have also been assertive, warning of potential political consequences for those who oppose a figure favored by the Trump-aligned GOP base.
“We need to get a Speaker tomorrow,” Jordan emphasized following a closed-door GOP conference meeting. “The American people deserve to have their Congress, their House representatives, working. And you can’t have that happen until you get a Speaker.”
Jordan’s supporters believe that the number of GOP opponents has dwindled from the 55 who initially voted against him to a number in the teens. According to one GOP lawmaker, the remaining detractors might be fewer than ten.
On Monday, several key holdouts announced their support for Jordan, including Representative Ann Wagner of Missouri, who had previously called Jordan a “nonstarter.” Representative Nicole Malliotakis of New York expressed confidence in Jordan’s ability to bring together a diverse spectrum of Republicans, from moderates to ultra-conservatives.
Even if Jordan doesn’t secure enough votes on the initial ballot, he has the option to trigger additional votes, similar to McCarthy’s journey to the Speaker’s position, which took 15 rounds of voting.
The stakes are high. Until a Speaker is selected, the House remains unable to consider essential legislation, such as additional military aid to Israel or government funding. With the threat of a government shutdown looming just a month away due to McCarthy’s temporary spending deal, time is of the essence.
However, Jordan faces skepticism from some GOP lawmakers who may publicly oppose his bid, citing their discontent with the way a small group of Republicans orchestrated McCarthy’s removal and blocked House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s nomination. Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska emphasized the importance of a fair and rule-based process.
Representative Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida stated that he intends to continue supporting Scalise on the floor, given the outcome of the previous election. He also cautioned against any attempts to pressure his decision.
As the vote approaches, several Republicans, including those from districts won by President Joe Biden, have remained tight-lipped about their voting intentions.
Jordan’s supporters have urged the conference to unify around him, despite past disagreements within the party. Representative Scott Perry of Pennsylvania emphasized that while feelings may be hurt, Jordan was not involved in the past developments. He urged those with grievances to direct their concerns toward those they believe are responsible.