LOADINGERROR LOADING
This House is a mess.
Members failed to elect a new speaker on Tuesday and Wednesday, two weeks after ousting former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the job.
For a brief time Thursday, momentum appeared to be building in favor of keeping the temporary speaker, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), in the role until the new year. But the proposal rankled conservatives who saw it as an unholy alliance with Democrats, and even that potential compromise fell apart by mid-afternoon.
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Deep rifts have roiled the chamber’s slim Republican majority as relatively center-right representatives feud with an extreme right-wing contingent. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) suddenly dropped out of the speakership race last week, leaving the door open for far-right Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to seize the gavel if he could manage to make nice with a majority of his colleagues.
He failed. After losing three votes by increasingly large margins, Jordan was booted as the party’s nominee on Friday.
Read live updates below:
Two Former GOP Speakers Endorse More Power For McHenry
Two former Republican House Speakers – John Boehner and Newt Gingrich – both endorsed expanding the powers of Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry on Tuesday night.
Giving additional powers to McHenry, a staunch ally of McCarthy who has better relations with Democrats than most of the other potential Republican leaders, has been floated repeatedly since it became clear the GOP would not be able to quickly settle on a new speaker.
The details of what those powers would be remain up in the air, but many have suggested at least giving him the ability to call up legislation aiming to aid Israel or Ukraine.
Neither Boehner nor Gingrich are strangers to the internal chaos of the House GOP: Both have both participated in coups against a GOP leader and been the victim of them.
Giving additional powers to McHenry, a staunch ally of McCarthy who has better relations with Democrats than most of the other potential Republican leaders, has been floated repeatedly since it became clear the GOP would not be able to quickly settle on a new speaker.
The details of what those powers would be remain up in the air, but many have suggested at least giving him the ability to call up legislation aiming to aid Israel or Ukraine.
Neither Boehner nor Gingrich are strangers to the internal chaos of the House GOP: Both have both participated in coups against a GOP leader and been the victim of them.
Hakeem Jeffries Suggests Democrats Open To Additional Powers For Interim Speaker
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Democrats remained focused on seeing the House reopened, suggesting Tuesday the party was open to giving additional powers to interim Speaker Patrick McHenry (R-Fla.).
“Our focus right now relates not just to any one individual but to getting the institution reopened,” Jeffries told reporters. “I have respect for Patrick McHenry, I think he’s respected on our side of the aisle. There are a whole host of other Republicans who are respected on our side of the aisle.”
“Jim Jordan is not one of them,” Jeffries added.
“Our focus right now relates not just to any one individual but to getting the institution reopened,” Jeffries told reporters. “I have respect for Patrick McHenry, I think he’s respected on our side of the aisle. There are a whole host of other Republicans who are respected on our side of the aisle.”
“Jim Jordan is not one of them,” Jeffries added.
Nancy Pelosi 'Sad' For GOP, Thinks They Need Math Skills
Former longtime House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) suggested that Republicans revisit some basic math skills, saying it was depressing to watch them keep failing to elect a speaker.
“I feel sad for the institution,” Pelosi told reporters as she walked off the House floor, shortly after Jordan fell short in his vote to become speaker. “I think it’s sad that they’re getting worse and worse.”
“They should take a lesson in mathematics and learn how to count."
Read more here:
“I feel sad for the institution,” Pelosi told reporters as she walked off the House floor, shortly after Jordan fell short in his vote to become speaker. “I think it’s sad that they’re getting worse and worse.”
“They should take a lesson in mathematics and learn how to count."
Read more here:
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Voting Will Resume Tomorrow
Despite calls from Republicans to immediately hold a second vote, Jordan confirmed that the next vote won’t take place until tomorrow at 11 a.m. This gives him more time to potentially flip some of his opponents.
Jordan Asked Scalise For Help: Reports
In a closed-door meeting with Republican leaders, Jordan asked Scalise for help persuading the holdouts, according to CNN’s Annie Grayer and otherreporters at the Capitol. Scalise was reportedly noncommittal, less than one week after chaos in the GOP caucus abruptly ended his own bid for the role.
GOP Rep. Dismisses Pro-Jordan Strategy
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said that Jordan's efforts to put pressure on his colleagues to vote for him for speaker — to bully them, if you will — haven't worked out so well.
"I think some of the pressure campaigns have backfired," Donalds said on Fox News. "They have not worked."
Some Republicans have bristled at Jordan's hardball tactics, which have included using his relationship with Fox News’ Sean Hannity and his associates to pressure holdout GOP members to line up behind Jordan. At least one Republican lawmaker heard directly from Hannity; another claimed he or she was threatened with a primary challenger.
Donalds, a Jordan supporter, said some of his colleagues told him the pressure from Hannity is "just not what they needed.” He called on his party to pause and sort out its next steps for making Jordan the next speaker.
"Let the members work and figure this out amongst ourselves," he said, "so we can elect Jim Jordan as speaker and then we can get back to the work that we have to do.
"I think some of the pressure campaigns have backfired," Donalds said on Fox News. "They have not worked."
Some Republicans have bristled at Jordan's hardball tactics, which have included using his relationship with Fox News’ Sean Hannity and his associates to pressure holdout GOP members to line up behind Jordan. At least one Republican lawmaker heard directly from Hannity; another claimed he or she was threatened with a primary challenger.
Donalds, a Jordan supporter, said some of his colleagues told him the pressure from Hannity is "just not what they needed.” He called on his party to pause and sort out its next steps for making Jordan the next speaker.
"Let the members work and figure this out amongst ourselves," he said, "so we can elect Jim Jordan as speaker and then we can get back to the work that we have to do.
Call for Second Vote
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) is asking the interim speaker pro tem, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-Fla.), to open up the House floor again and hold a second vote on who will be speaker.
Diaz-Balart has been a steadfast "no" on Jordan so far, so this could potentially indicate two things: a) he figures Jordan still lacks the votes so call for another losing vote to keep pressure on; or b) he's worried Jordan may be making progress in talks with holdouts and wants to interrupt that.
Reps. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and Kay Granger (R-Texas) immediately backed Diaz-Balart's request.
“The House needs to get back to work now,” Granger tweeted.
“We need to bring this to the floor ASAP and get to the work of the American people,” Womack also wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Diaz-Balart has been a steadfast "no" on Jordan so far, so this could potentially indicate two things: a) he figures Jordan still lacks the votes so call for another losing vote to keep pressure on; or b) he's worried Jordan may be making progress in talks with holdouts and wants to interrupt that.
Reps. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and Kay Granger (R-Texas) immediately backed Diaz-Balart's request.
“The House needs to get back to work now,” Granger tweeted.
“We need to bring this to the floor ASAP and get to the work of the American people,” Womack also wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Democrats Won’t Let GOP Moderates Off The Hook For Jordan
Democrats won’t let Republicans from districts that President Joe Biden carried in 2020 forget their votes backing Jordan for speaker, no matter how it shakes out.
“12 vulnerable Republicans representing districts won by President Biden just voted to walk their own reelection hopes off the plank by embracing the extremist MAGA agenda and voting for Jim Jordan,” Democratic House Majority PAC spokesperson C.J. Warnke said — previewing how Democrats will likely message the speakership drama next year, when Republicans will be defending a slim House majority.
Even if Jordan doesn’t become speaker, national Democrats will point to this saga to remind voters of the House’s dysfunction under GOP rule.
The House currently has 18 Republicans seated in districts Biden won.
“12 vulnerable Republicans representing districts won by President Biden just voted to walk their own reelection hopes off the plank by embracing the extremist MAGA agenda and voting for Jim Jordan,” Democratic House Majority PAC spokesperson C.J. Warnke said — previewing how Democrats will likely message the speakership drama next year, when Republicans will be defending a slim House majority.
Even if Jordan doesn’t become speaker, national Democrats will point to this saga to remind voters of the House’s dysfunction under GOP rule.
The House currently has 18 Republicans seated in districts Biden won.
Conservative Media Campaign Backfired, Sen. Mullin Suggests
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who served for a decade in the House before winning a Senate seat in 2022, told HuffPost a pressure campaign run by conservative media outlets and activist groups may have done more to harm Jordan’s speakership bid than help it.
Calling the campaign “stupid,” Mullin said he spoke with one House member who – despite publicly backing Jordan – was nonetheless inundated with more than 1,000 phone calls imploring him to do so.
“He said it almost made me switch my vote,” said Mullin, who was on the House floor during the vote. “It was a very, very, very dumb move.”
Mullin, who made some not-safe-for-work claims about Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) after Gaetz successfully ousted McCarthy, predicted the GOP might need to return to the Californian.
“If Jordan doesn't get it, at some point they've gotta start looking at McCarthy again," he added
Calling the campaign “stupid,” Mullin said he spoke with one House member who – despite publicly backing Jordan – was nonetheless inundated with more than 1,000 phone calls imploring him to do so.
“He said it almost made me switch my vote,” said Mullin, who was on the House floor during the vote. “It was a very, very, very dumb move.”
Mullin, who made some not-safe-for-work claims about Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) after Gaetz successfully ousted McCarthy, predicted the GOP might need to return to the Californian.
“If Jordan doesn't get it, at some point they've gotta start looking at McCarthy again," he added
More Details From The First Vote
As we wait for details on when House Republicans will vote again, here's more from HuffPost's Arthur Delaney on Jordan's defeat in the first round of voting:
More Republicans Reportedly Defecting From Jim Jordan
A GOP lawmaker told NBC News that they know of 5 to 6 Jordan supporters who won’t vote for him on the second round of voting.
AP
Speakership Is ‘The Worst Job In America,’ Jordan Defector Says
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), one of the 20 Republicans who voted against Jordan in the first round, told CNN that being House speaker is “the worst job in America.”
“Mike Rowe wouldn't want to do this for his TV show. This is a terrible job," Buck said, referring to the host of the Discovery show “Dirty Jobs.”
Buck added there’s “no way” he’ll cast a vote for Jordan.
“Mike Rowe wouldn't want to do this for his TV show. This is a terrible job," Buck said, referring to the host of the Discovery show “Dirty Jobs.”
Buck added there’s “no way” he’ll cast a vote for Jordan.
Jordan's Office: 'Expect Another Round Of Votes Today'
It appears losing the first round of votes has not deterred Jordan:
McCarthy Not Calling On Jordan To Drop Out
Asked by a reporter whether his confidence in Jordan reflected an “irrational optimism,” McCarthy responded, “That’s just a negative question.”
The former speaker pointed out that he was eventually elected after a poor showing in the first round of voting back in January. Then, despite the fact his party controls the House, he blamed Democrats for its current messy predicament.
The former speaker pointed out that he was eventually elected after a poor showing in the first round of voting back in January. Then, despite the fact his party controls the House, he blamed Democrats for its current messy predicament.
AP
Some Republicans Lose Faith In Jim Jordan
Republicans are starting to lose faith in Jordan, several of them told reporters after the Ohio congressman failed to muster enough support during the first round of voting.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (Fla.), who voted against him, called Jordan’s chances “shaky,” while Rep. Michael McCaul (Texas), who voted for Jordan, said he does not “see how he can recover” with so many defectors on the first round of voting.
Jordan’s supporters also told Fox News that they’re losing confidence in him. “I’m afraid there will be more votes against him,” an unnamed senior Republican told the network.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (Fla.), who voted against him, called Jordan’s chances “shaky,” while Rep. Michael McCaul (Texas), who voted for Jordan, said he does not “see how he can recover” with so many defectors on the first round of voting.
Jordan’s supporters also told Fox News that they’re losing confidence in him. “I’m afraid there will be more votes against him,” an unnamed senior Republican told the network.
The History of Jim Jordan’s Very Badly Gerrymandered House District
If Jordan becomes House speaker, it will be partly because an extreme partisan gerrymander helped him remain in Congress for as long as he has.
Jordan hails from Ohio’s 4th Congressional District, a mostly rural, deeply red swath of west-central Ohio that, between 2010 and 2020, was shaped roughly like a duck, stretching from practically the Indiana border to the Lake Erie shoreline.
Jordan’s district was carved out in a congressional map drawn by Ohio Republicans and designed to concentrate power in as many GOP districts as possible, which explains its bizarre contours.
Before the latest round of congressional reapportionment in 2020, the 4th District was routinely ranked as one of the worst gerrymandered House seats in the country. And throughout that time it did precisely what it was designed to do — elect Jordan by massive margins.
The latest round of districting made Jordan’s district a bit less… mallard-like. But it didn’t impact his electoral outcome. In 2022, Jordan still won 69% of votes.
Ohio voters green-lit reforms in 2015 and 2018 designed to stamp out partisan gerrymandering. But after those reforms failed to have much of a material impact on the maps produced, voting-rights advocates are again taking their fight to the ballot box, attempting to collect enough signatures to put another round of reform measures in front of voters in 2024.
It’s not clear yet what impact it might have on Jordan’s district, but it could be significant if the state is forced to adopt radically more balanced maps without Republicans controlling the process. The group pushing the reforms, Citizens Not Politicians, wants to create a new bipartisan redistricting commission that bans all politicians, lobbyists and donors as members. It also wants to make it unconstitutional for the map-drawing process to discriminate against a particular political party or politician, meaning Republicans will no longer be able to use the process to unfairly advantage their own.
Jordan hails from Ohio’s 4th Congressional District, a mostly rural, deeply red swath of west-central Ohio that, between 2010 and 2020, was shaped roughly like a duck, stretching from practically the Indiana border to the Lake Erie shoreline.
Jordan’s district was carved out in a congressional map drawn by Ohio Republicans and designed to concentrate power in as many GOP districts as possible, which explains its bizarre contours.
Before the latest round of congressional reapportionment in 2020, the 4th District was routinely ranked as one of the worst gerrymandered House seats in the country. And throughout that time it did precisely what it was designed to do — elect Jordan by massive margins.
The latest round of districting made Jordan’s district a bit less… mallard-like. But it didn’t impact his electoral outcome. In 2022, Jordan still won 69% of votes.
Ohio voters green-lit reforms in 2015 and 2018 designed to stamp out partisan gerrymandering. But after those reforms failed to have much of a material impact on the maps produced, voting-rights advocates are again taking their fight to the ballot box, attempting to collect enough signatures to put another round of reform measures in front of voters in 2024.
It’s not clear yet what impact it might have on Jordan’s district, but it could be significant if the state is forced to adopt radically more balanced maps without Republicans controlling the process. The group pushing the reforms, Citizens Not Politicians, wants to create a new bipartisan redistricting commission that bans all politicians, lobbyists and donors as members. It also wants to make it unconstitutional for the map-drawing process to discriminate against a particular political party or politician, meaning Republicans will no longer be able to use the process to unfairly advantage their own.
The Expectations Game
The House has gaveled out “subject to the call of the chair” (until Republicans decide to take another speaker vote on floor).
This was a defeat for Jordan, but how bad of a defeat depends on how you measure.
McCarthy had 208 votes when he was deposed. So Jordan came in well short of that. McCarthy still has adherents within the Republican conference, and even today Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) floated his name as a candidate if Jordan crashed and burned. (McCarthy also received six votes today.)
But Jordan last week in a secret ballot in the GOP conference had 55 Republicans say they would vote against him. On the floor, it was only 20. By that metric, he made huge progress.
The Jordan strategy has appeared to be one of flushing out the opposition and pressuring them publicly to switch. That could have worked with only a handful of “no” votes. But 20? With the possibility some voted for him knowing it didn’t matter and could switch to “no” on another round? That may be another question.
This was a defeat for Jordan, but how bad of a defeat depends on how you measure.
McCarthy had 208 votes when he was deposed. So Jordan came in well short of that. McCarthy still has adherents within the Republican conference, and even today Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) floated his name as a candidate if Jordan crashed and burned. (McCarthy also received six votes today.)
But Jordan last week in a secret ballot in the GOP conference had 55 Republicans say they would vote against him. On the floor, it was only 20. By that metric, he made huge progress.
The Jordan strategy has appeared to be one of flushing out the opposition and pressuring them publicly to switch. That could have worked with only a handful of “no” votes. But 20? With the possibility some voted for him knowing it didn’t matter and could switch to “no” on another round? That may be another question.
House Now In Recess
The House is now in recess as Republicans figure out their next steps. It's unclear when they will vote again.
Key Moment
20 Republicans Refuse Jordan
Here’s the breakdown among GOP defectors.
Seven voted for Scalise: Reps. Mario Diaz Balart (R-Fla.), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), Kay Granger (R-Texas), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), John Rutherford (R-Fla.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Steve Womack (R-Ark.)
Six voted for McCarthy: Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Carlos Jimenez (R-Fla.), Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.)
Three voted for former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y): Reps. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.), Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.)
One voted for Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.): Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Texas)
One voted for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Mich.): Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.)
One voted for Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.): Rep. John James (R-Mich.)
One voted for Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.): Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.)
Seven voted for Scalise: Reps. Mario Diaz Balart (R-Fla.), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), Kay Granger (R-Texas), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), John Rutherford (R-Fla.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Steve Womack (R-Ark.)
Six voted for McCarthy: Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Carlos Jimenez (R-Fla.), Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.)
Three voted for former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y): Reps. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.), Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.)
One voted for Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.): Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Texas)
One voted for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Mich.): Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.)
One voted for Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.): Rep. John James (R-Mich.)
One voted for Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.): Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.)
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Jim Jordan Officially Loses First Vote In His Speaker Bid
No candidate was able to get enough votes to become speaker, meaning more rounds of voting are likely to follow. No one voted “present,” so 217 would have been the number to hit.
Jordan received 200 votes.
Jeffries received 212 votes.
The remaining 20 members voted for other Republicans, including McCarthy and Scalise.
Jordan received 200 votes.
Jeffries received 212 votes.
The remaining 20 members voted for other Republicans, including McCarthy and Scalise.
Even More GOP Defections
Votes are in from some of the members who missed the initial roll call vote, and we now have several more GOP defections: Ken Buck (R-Colo.) votes for Tom Emmer (R-Mich.), Rep. John James (R-Mich.) votes for Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) votes for McCarthy and Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) votes for Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).
In total, 20 Republicans did not line up behind Jordan's speaker bid.
In total, 20 Republicans did not line up behind Jordan's speaker bid.
One More For Scalise
Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) votes for Scalise, bringing defections up to 16.
We're Now Up To 15 Defections
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) has also voted for Scalise, bringing the total of Republicans voting against Jordan to 15.
Scalise Backs Jordan
Jordan picked up support from opponent Scalise, who took himself out of the race last week amid Republican infighting.
Another Vote For Scalise
Rep. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) votes for Scalise over Jordan. That means 14 Republicans have defected so far.
McCarthy Backs Jordan
McCarthy elicited applause from his side of the aisle with his vote for Jordan.
Fox Host Brian Kilmeade Calls Rep. Don Bacon A ‘Dumbass’ For Voting McCarthy
On a hot mic – or maybe on purpose! – Fox News host Brian Kilmeade called Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) a “dumbass” for casting a vote for McCarthy rather than Jordan.
Fox News has been actively covering the speakership fight, to put it lightly. Axios reporter Juliegrace Brufke on Sunday published a aggressive email that one Republican lawmaker had received from the network, asking them "why during a war breaking out between Israel and Hamas, with the war in Ukraine, with the wide open borders, with a budget that unfinished why would [congressperson's name redacted] be against Rep Jim Jordan for speaker?”
Fox News has been actively covering the speakership fight, to put it lightly. Axios reporter Juliegrace Brufke on Sunday published a aggressive email that one Republican lawmaker had received from the network, asking them "why during a war breaking out between Israel and Hamas, with the war in Ukraine, with the wide open borders, with a budget that unfinished why would [congressperson's name redacted] be against Rep Jim Jordan for speaker?”
3 More Republicans Vote Against Jordan
Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) votes for McCarthy, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) votes for Zeldin and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y) votes for McCarthy.
A Reference to Jim Jordan’s Wrestling Career
In her speech nominating Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to be House Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) made a passing reference to Jordan’s days as a champion wrestler and coach.
“Whether as Judiciary chair, conservative leader or representative for his constituents in west-central Ohio, whether on the wrestling mat or in the committee room, Jim Jordan is strategic, scrappy, tough and principled,” Stefanik said.
Jordan’s wrestling career is not all glory. Former wrestlers at Ohio State University, where Jordan was a wrestling coach from 1987 to 1995, have said Jordan knew about sexual abuse by a team doctor but did nothing to stop it. Jordan has repeatedly denied he ever knew about the abuse.
Here's a refresher on the allegations:
“Whether as Judiciary chair, conservative leader or representative for his constituents in west-central Ohio, whether on the wrestling mat or in the committee room, Jim Jordan is strategic, scrappy, tough and principled,” Stefanik said.
Jordan’s wrestling career is not all glory. Former wrestlers at Ohio State University, where Jordan was a wrestling coach from 1987 to 1995, have said Jordan knew about sexual abuse by a team doctor but did nothing to stop it. Jordan has repeatedly denied he ever knew about the abuse.
Here's a refresher on the allegations:
Two More Defections
Jordan loses two more votes: Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) and Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) both vote for Scalise.
Jordan Doesn’t Have The Votes
Jordan failed to secure the necessary votes to win the speakership after multiple Republicans voted for other candidates.
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) voted for McCarthy, Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) voted for former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y) Rep. Mario Diaz Balart voted for Scalise, Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Texas) voted for Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) and Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY.) voted for Zeldin.
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) voted for McCarthy, Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) voted for former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y) Rep. Mario Diaz Balart voted for Scalise, Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Texas) voted for Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) and Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY.) voted for Zeldin.
Romney Roasts Jordan
Hoots From Democrats
House Democrats are feeling restless and chippy. With their role simply to vote for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), they impatiently sat though Rep. Elise Stefanik’s (R-N.Y.) nominating speech for Jordan that included a litany of problems facing America, like inflation and a “weaponized government.”
“Jim Jordan will be 'we the people’s' speaker for such time as this,” she said.
But as she listed Jordan’s accomplishments and background she included his prowess “on the wrestling mat,” which drew hoots from the Democratic side of the aisle.
Jordan has been dogged by accusations of turning a blind eye to sexual abuse allegations in the wrestling program at Ohio State University in the 1980s and 1990s while he was a coach there. Jordan has denied those allegations.
“Jim Jordan will be 'we the people’s' speaker for such time as this,” she said.
But as she listed Jordan’s accomplishments and background she included his prowess “on the wrestling mat,” which drew hoots from the Democratic side of the aisle.
Jordan has been dogged by accusations of turning a blind eye to sexual abuse allegations in the wrestling program at Ohio State University in the 1980s and 1990s while he was a coach there. Jordan has denied those allegations.
Bacon Says No To Jordan
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) voted for McCarthy. He said Monday that he was "not budging" in his refusal to vote for Jordan, citing his military service.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) was not on the floor when his name was called.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) was not on the floor when his name was called.
Voting Begins
Acting House Speaker pro tempore Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) has called for a vote, putting Jordan’s bid to the test.
Aguilar Nominates Jeffries
Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) nominated Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for the speakership. His odds are very slim, however, so Aguilar also took time to bash Jordan, listing bills the Ohio representative voted down on natural disaster aid and a number of other issues.
“House Republicans have just elected a speaker nominee who in 16 years in this Congress hasn't passed a single bill, because his focus has not been on the American people, his focus has been on peddling lies and conspiracy theories and driving division among the American people,” Aguilar said.
“House Republicans have just elected a speaker nominee who in 16 years in this Congress hasn't passed a single bill, because his focus has not been on the American people, his focus has been on peddling lies and conspiracy theories and driving division among the American people,” Aguilar said.
Stefanik Nominates Jordan
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) threw Jordan’s name into the ring as a candidate. She took swipes at President Joe Biden and nodded to the Israel-Hamas war before concluding, “Jim Jordan will be America’s speaker, for such a time as this.”
Reconnecting With The House
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) — formerly a congressman himself — was in the House chamber, catching up with Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), the former Agriculture committee chairman.
Lucas missed several weeks after sustaining an injury at his rural Oklahoma ranch in August that was serious enough for him to be taken to the hospital. He has been back in Washington recently but has been using a walker to get around.
Mullin is the senator who said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) had showed some fellow lawmakers pictures on his phone of women he said he had slept with and that Gaetz had bragged about taking erectile dysfunction medicine and followed it with energy drinks.
Gaetz had denied those accusations.
Lucas missed several weeks after sustaining an injury at his rural Oklahoma ranch in August that was serious enough for him to be taken to the hospital. He has been back in Washington recently but has been using a walker to get around.
Mullin is the senator who said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) had showed some fellow lawmakers pictures on his phone of women he said he had slept with and that Gaetz had bragged about taking erectile dysfunction medicine and followed it with energy drinks.
Gaetz had denied those accusations.
What’s Needed To Win
The new speaker of the House needs to secure a simple majority among those who show up to vote "yea" or "nay." So with 212 Democrats and 220 Republicans voting Tuesday — one Republican was absent — that number stands at 217 votes. That means any GOP candidate can only afford to lose four Republicans and still land the job. Voting "present" also changes the equation.
Jordan did not appear to have the support needed to win in the first round of voting as of early Tuesday. It remains unknown how many rounds will be called for by the end of the day; members can negotiate with one another between votes. In January, McCarthy endured 15 rounds of voting before finally becoming speaker in what turned out to be a short-lived role.
Jordan did not appear to have the support needed to win in the first round of voting as of early Tuesday. It remains unknown how many rounds will be called for by the end of the day; members can negotiate with one another between votes. In January, McCarthy endured 15 rounds of voting before finally becoming speaker in what turned out to be a short-lived role.
Getty Images
Pressure Tactics From The Right Backfire
Two more Republicans said before the vote that they would oppose Jim Jordan for speaker, putting HuffPost’s independently verified tally of the anti-Jordan faction at four.
Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Carlos Giménez (R-Fla.) said they would not support Jordan as they headed to the Capitol.
Diaz-Balart told reporters that pressure tactics — such as a Fox News producer’s weekend emails demanding answers for opposition to Jordan — would never work.
“I'm always open to negotiations and conversations, but the minute — the second — that anybody tries to intimidate or pressure me, that's when my door closes,” Diaz-Balart told reporters.
Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Carlos Giménez (R-Fla.) said they would not support Jordan as they headed to the Capitol.
Diaz-Balart told reporters that pressure tactics — such as a Fox News producer’s weekend emails demanding answers for opposition to Jordan — would never work.
“I'm always open to negotiations and conversations, but the minute — the second — that anybody tries to intimidate or pressure me, that's when my door closes,” Diaz-Balart told reporters.
Jim Jordan To CNN: I’ll Do ‘Whatever It Takes’ To Become Speaker Today
Heading into the House vote, Jordan told CNN reporter Manu Raju that he’s ready to go through as many rounds as it takes to become speaker on Tuesday.
“Whatever it takes to get a speaker today,” Jordan said.
“Whatever it takes to get a speaker today,” Jordan said.
House Begins Filing In
A few minutes before noon and an expected vote on whether Jordan should become the new speaker, the House chamber began filling.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), the House conference chair, is sitting near the Republican-side lectern with a tally sheet to keep track of who’s voted.
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), chairman of the House Rules Committee, is sitting near the well, the part of the floor closest to the podium. Cole’s name has been floated by a few people as a possible speaker candidate, mainly because he’s widely respected within the conference. But he has told HuffPost repeatedly he has no interest in the slot.
As with the election to unseat McCarthy from the speaker’s chair, the press gallery, located above the speaker’s podium and looking toward the back of the House chamber, is completely full. That only happens on significant votes and votes where the outcome is in doubt.
Both of those apply to this situation.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), the House conference chair, is sitting near the Republican-side lectern with a tally sheet to keep track of who’s voted.
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), chairman of the House Rules Committee, is sitting near the well, the part of the floor closest to the podium. Cole’s name has been floated by a few people as a possible speaker candidate, mainly because he’s widely respected within the conference. But he has told HuffPost repeatedly he has no interest in the slot.
As with the election to unseat McCarthy from the speaker’s chair, the press gallery, located above the speaker’s podium and looking toward the back of the House chamber, is completely full. That only happens on significant votes and votes where the outcome is in doubt.
Both of those apply to this situation.
Jim Jordan Is In Trouble
Reps. Kevin Buck (R-Colo.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told HuffPost on their way to the vote that they will vote against Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in the first ballot on Tuesday.
Jordan can lose only four Republicans and still win the gavel. That Buck and Bacon are still opposed suggests Jordan will likely need more than one ballot to win.
Jordan met with Buck on Monday night but was unable to sway him. Buck’s top objection is that Jordan has refused to say the 2020 election was fair.
Jordan can lose only four Republicans and still win the gavel. That Buck and Bacon are still opposed suggests Jordan will likely need more than one ballot to win.
Jordan met with Buck on Monday night but was unable to sway him. Buck’s top objection is that Jordan has refused to say the 2020 election was fair.
Dem Rep: Most Moderate GOPers Told Me They Don’t Want Jim Jordan
Ahead of Tuesday’s vote on potentially electing Jordan as the next speaker, Ohio Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman said many centrists in the GOP conference have personally told him they oppose Jordan as their next leader.
“Most moderate Republicans I talk with don’t want Jordan,” Landsman said in a statement. “They’ve said it to me, and they voted that way last week behind closed doors.”
That fact that the Ohio Republican is even within striking distance of becoming speaker, said Landsman, is because he’s leveraged his ties to powerful people in conservative media to essentially bully people into voting for him.
“Trump, [Sean] Hannity, and Fox News have told Republican moderates that this is what they want, never mind what the American people want or what the country and the world needs,” he said. "The majority of the House wants a bipartisan Speaker. Yet, House Republicans are on the verge of voting for Trump’s January 6th partner in crime."
“Most moderate Republicans I talk with don’t want Jordan,” Landsman said in a statement. “They’ve said it to me, and they voted that way last week behind closed doors.”
That fact that the Ohio Republican is even within striking distance of becoming speaker, said Landsman, is because he’s leveraged his ties to powerful people in conservative media to essentially bully people into voting for him.
“Trump, [Sean] Hannity, and Fox News have told Republican moderates that this is what they want, never mind what the American people want or what the country and the world needs,” he said. "The majority of the House wants a bipartisan Speaker. Yet, House Republicans are on the verge of voting for Trump’s January 6th partner in crime."
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We'll be watching to see whether the House manages to elect a speaker on Tuesday. Check back for more.