House Republicans Reject Rep. Jim Jordan as Speaker Nominee, Creating Chaos
House Republicans have abandoned their nomination of Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for Speaker, plunging the GOP conference into disarray. This marks the second time a Speaker nominee has been rejected by House Republicans, with Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) withdrawing his name from the race shortly after securing the nomination due to lack of support from Jordan’s backers. The turmoil stems from the deposition of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as Speaker earlier this month, further highlighting the deep divisions within the GOP conference. As the House enters its fourth week without a clear candidate for Speaker, uncertainty abounds. Here are five key takeaways:
1. Can Anyone Secure 217 Votes?
With at least nine Republicans currently running or considering a bid for Speaker, the critical question remains: can any of them secure the required 217 votes to clinch the position? This number assumes all members are present and voting, allowing for just four GOP defections. However, the slim majority and fractious nature of the GOP conference make it uncertain whether the party will be able to unify behind a single candidate. Scalise and Jordan both won their nominations by slim margins, and Jordan lost 25 Republican votes on the third ballot, indicating the lack of consensus in the party.
2. Pressure Mounts from Looming Deadlines
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, coupled with the imminent government funding deadline on November 17th, has increased pressure on Republicans to rally around a new Speaker and resume legislative business. Without a Speaker in place, the House is unable to conduct official business. The urgency intensified when the White House unveiled a $100 billion emergency funding request, including funding for border security, Israel, and Ukraine. The upcoming shutdown deadline further exacerbates the situation. Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) has sought more power to move legislation as the deadline approaches, but the proposal was rejected. However, empowering McHenry remains an option if the situation becomes more dire.
3. Anger Abounds in the GOP Conference
House Republicans enter the Speaker showdown with lingering resentment and divisions. Scalise’s supporters are frustrated that he had to withdraw due to lack of support from Jordan’s backers and their delayed endorsement. Conversely, Jordan’s allies are dismayed by the conference’s decision to oust him through a secret ballot and by Scalise’s backers withholding support. In addition, there is ongoing anger towards the eight Republicans who sided with Democrats to depose McCarthy. This resentment within the party complicates the path to selecting a new Speaker.
4. Intimidation Tactics Backfire
Pressure campaigns launched by Jordan’s allies both inside the Capitol and in conservative media in an attempt to sway Republicans withholding support ended up causing division and leading to further opposition. The number of Republicans rejecting Jordan grew over the course of three ballots. Some holdouts reported receiving threats, which sparked concerns on Capitol Hill, including credible death threats against Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.). The use of intimidation tactics ultimately failed to achieve their desired outcome.
5. Jordan to Focus on Biden Administration
Despite being rejected as the Speaker nominee, Jordan will continue serving as the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. This position allows him to maintain a prominent role in the investigation of matters such as the prosecution of Hunter Biden and former President Trump, as well as the management of policies at the U.S.-Mexico border. Additionally, if the House GOP proceeds with an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, any impeachment articles would originate from Jordan’s committee, likely positioning him to play a significant part in the proceedings.
By analyzing the chaos surrounding the Speaker selection process and the various challenges facing House Republicans, it is evident that finding a unified candidate remains a daunting task. The outcome of this deadlock will have significant implications for the GOP and its ability to govern effectively.
