Days after multiple lawmakers – including Congressmen Michael Guest and Trent Kelly – warned us that Jim Jordan might not have enough votes to win the speakership, Republicans have voted to drop the Ohio congressman as their nominee.
During a closed-door meeting on Friday, House Republicans voted for Jordan to step aside after becoming the first majority nominee in 100 years to get less than 200 votes. Over the course of the week, Jordan saw his Republican opponents grow from 20 to 25.
On Oct. 13, Jordan was voted as the GOP nominee after Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise withdrew his bid following word that not enough of his peers would support him as speaker. Jordan, a Donald Trump endorsee, went into the week facing the same problem.
Even with a Republican majority, Jordan failed to surpass Democratic nominee Hakeem Jeffries of New York during votes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Hardline supporters of the conservative firebrand were reportedly threatening opposing members – and even the significant other of one – but to no avail.
As for who the next GOP nominee for speaker will be is unclear at this time. Earlier in the week, Republicans considered expanding the powers of Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry of North Carolina until January as a mid-November government shutdown looms and conflict involving Middle East ally Israel continues.
“In light of events taking place in the United States and across the globe, it is of great importance that Congress elect a speaker and get back to work to passing conservative legislation for the American people,” a portion of a statement from Guest reads. “House Republicans must unify around a speaker who will lead on securing the border, fighting the runaway spending, bringing down inflation, and supporting our troops and allies across the globe.”
Republicans will now go back to the drawing board until Monday when the process starts all over again. Members have until Sunday to declare candidacies as the House has now been without a speaker for the longest amount of time since 1971 when it took 18 days to elect Democrat Carl Albert.
