Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid to become speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives failed Wednesday for the second time in as many days, dealing a devastating blow to the Ohio Republican’s chances as a potential leader.
Jordan’s inability to secure the gavel after two rounds of voting raises doubts about whether House Republicans can find a consensus candidate who can also win over Democrats.
In the first round of voting on Tuesday, Jordan faced opposition from 20 Republicans. In the second ballot on Wednesday, the number rose to 22.
While there will be no further voting on Wednesday, there are scheduled votes on Thursday, according to a source familiar with Jordan’s plans.
Despite losing two consecutive votes, Jordan’s office confirmed that he intends to stay in the speaker race. “We’re going to keep going,” said Russell Dye, Jordan’s spokesman.
Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, who formally nominated Jordan for the second ballot, blamed the current chaos on the Republican faction that ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
“Those who did this, whether intentionally or unintentionally, were going to put the Congress in a state of chaos and the country into a state of uncertainty,” said Cole in his nomination speech before the House.
Speaker of the House Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) gavels in the session prior to a second round of voting to elect a new Speaker of the House on the floor of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., October 18, 2023.
Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters
Jordan’s failure on the second ballot could lead Republicans to support Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, who has been serving as interim speaker since McCarthy’s removal.
Rep. Dave Joyce of Ohio plans to introduce a resolution to elect McHenry as speaker pro tempore after Jordan’s second ballot, according to a source familiar with the matter.
“After two weeks without a Speaker of the House and no clear candidate with 217 votes in the Republican conference, it is time to look at other viable options,” said Joyce. “By empowering Patrick McHenry as Speaker Pro Tempore, we can take care of our ally Israel until a new Speaker is elected.”
Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania has introduced a resolution to expand McHenry’s powers until a permanent speaker is chosen by the GOP.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York has indicated that Democrats are open to supporting McHenry to end the current impasse.
The House has been without a leader for over two weeks, following the ouster of McCarthy in an unprecedented no-confidence vote orchestrated by eight hard-right Republicans led by Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida.
House GOP lawmakers have struggled to unite around a successor to McCarthy. Initially, Rep. Steve Scalise was nominated, but he withdrew his candidacy due to lack of Republican support.
Reporters wait as House Republicans decide their next steps after U.S. Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) failed the first vote for House Speaker at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, October 17, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
The House’s leadership vacuum coincides with escalating violence in the Middle East, with Hamas killing hundreds of civilians in Israel and retaliatory strikes causing suffering in Gaza.
A reported strike on a hospital in Gaza has increased tensions and threatens to expand the conflict into a regional crisis.
Congress remains paralyzed in responding to the Middle East crisis until a speaker is elected. President Joe Biden, who is currently in Israel, has urged Congress to pass emergency security assistance to support Israel.
— CNBC’s Emily Wilkins contributed to this report from Washington
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