Jim Jordan lost a third round election for House speaker as 25 of his Republican colleagues voted against him – the most so far – which could spell the end of his candidacy as he faces increasing pressure to resign.
The Ohio Republican continued to lose votes as 25 Republicans – three more than last time – voted against him on Friday. He lost 20 votes on his first ballot for speaker and 22 on his second.
It shows there is no end in sight to the unrest among House Republicans, two weeks after McCarthy became the first speaker in history to be ousted.
Since then, the House has been paralyzed, unable to conduct business in less than a month until the government shuts down again.
It is not clear whether the renowned conservative “fighter” will continue to fight for the top job in the House of Representatives as it becomes increasingly clear that his opponents are not backing down.
“It’s a little bit like the baseball analogy, three strikes and you’re out,” said Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., a Jordan fan.
Jim Jordan, left, chats with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., right before the vote
Jordan had called on former Kevin McCarthy to nominate him – some of the Jordan holdouts voted for McCarthy instead
Republicans around Jim Jordan applaud a third vote on his speakership
Jordan had called on former Kevin McCarthy to nominate him – some of the Jordan holdouts voted for McCarthy instead.
Before the vote, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Jordan a “clear and present danger to our democracy.”
Counting the votes of the third speaker
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. — 210
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio – 194
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La. — 8th
Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y. — 4
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. — 6
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. — 2
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. — 2
Rep. Mike Garcia, R-California. — 1
Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn. — 1
Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark. — 1
Asked why all Democrats voted to oust McCarthy and risk potential Speaker Jordan, Jeffries responded back to McCarthy allowing Jordan to become chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee.
“Who created Jim Jordan, who normalized Jim Jordan, who was about to be nominated?” [him]?’
Jordan is the second candidate for speaker who appears unable to secure a 217-vote majority since Kevin McCarthy’s ouster.
Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the No. 2 Republican in the House, initially won the vote at the GOP conference but dropped out as the Republican speaker candidate after just 24 hours.
At the time, Jordan’s supporters were stubbornly opposed to voting for Scalise even after he won the nomination.
Now, some Republicans are not only angry about McCarthy’s ouster, but also angry about how Jordan supporters actively opposed Scalise’s nomination.
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., held a resolution to remove interim speaker Rep. Patrick McHenry during the vote.
McHenry was named speaker pro tempore after McCarthy’s ouster.
Some Republicans want to give him authority by January while the GOP conference works out its differences and coalesces around a speaker.
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., held a resolution to remove interim speaker Rep. Patrick McHenry during the vote
Rep. Byron Donalds (right), a Jordan supporter, speaks with a seemingly angry Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., who voted against Jordan
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., left, speaks with Jordan, center, and McCarthy, right
However, it remains unclear who might take Jordan’s job if he leaves.
Names like Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern, Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington and Republican Conference Vice Chairman Mike Johnson were all announced.
All appear to be less controversial than Jordan, McCarthy and Scalise, but it’s not clear whether they could get 217 votes among liberal House Republicans.