The Republicans have brought the House of Representatives into a deadlock. Extremist Jim Jordan, the presidential candidate supported by former President Donald Trump, lost the third vote for office this Friday. He was defeated by a larger majority, although it was Kevin McCarthy himself, who was sacked 17 days ago, who could not afford to nominate him in the plenary session. Not even that has helped overcome resistance from moderate Republicans who refuse to bow to one of the most radical members of their party. Jordan received only 194 votes, 23 of what he would need if all members of Congress were present and 5 fewer than the previous vote. Republicans later voted in a secret caucus vote to withdraw her candidacy. Start again.
Jordan’s renewed failure immobilizes the House of Representatives on the same day that President Joe Biden sought approval of a $105 billion package that would include aid primarily for Ukraine, but also for Israel, for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and for strengthening the control of the border with Mexico is intended. Moving forward requires approval from both the Democratic-majority Senate and the Republican-dominated Congress, which is currently gridlocked. Republicans have called a caucus meeting for Monday afternoon to try to agree on a new candidate.
In his floor speech, McCarthy introduced Jordan by saying he was “an effective legislator,” drawing laughter and ridicule from the Democratic caucus since he had not proposed a single bill in his years as a congressman. The former president of the House of Representatives has argued that his work as president of the Judiciary Commission is more important than having sponsored a piece of legislation himself.
Democrats also laughed and protested when McCarthy described Jordan as someone looking for compromise. Jordan was singled out by the parliamentary commission investigating the attack on the Capitol for his role in attempting to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. He is a co-founder and leading member of the Freedom Caucus, which includes members of the radical wing of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives. He has been a staunch defender of Trump and a relentless, almost inquisitorial pursuer of current President Joe Biden. A former speaker of his own party in the House of Representatives called him a “legislative terrorist” and he acted more as an agent of chaos than a consensus seeker.
“It’s not an easy job being a speaker, especially in this group,” McCarthy had admitted. “But I saw that Jim spent his entire career fighting for freedom, no matter what, no matter the odds. And I know that he is prepared for the job,” he said before his defeat. In contrast, Democrat Katherine Clark defined him as “a threat to democracy.”
Death threats
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Several of the Republican congressmen who did not vote for him have publicly denounced pressures and threats in support of Jordan that have proven counterproductive. “One thing I cannot stand or support is a bully,” said Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, who voted against Jordan on the second vote and claims she received “threats” as a result. “credible deaths and “a barrage of threatening calls” that he reported to authorities.
“As soon as you try to exert influence through external groups that try to intimidate, it’s over in that nanosecond,” said Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, one of those who opposed and distanced themselves from the Trump candidate from the start Have distanced yourself from threats.
In the third vote, Jordan lost support compared to the previous two votes, but seemed unwilling to throw in the towel. “There have already been several rounds of voting for the president. We all know. “I just know that we need a speaker as soon as possible to work for the American people,” he indicated in a press conference hours before the vote. “I’m still a candidate for president of the House of Representatives and I intend to go into the chamber, get the votes and win this election,” he said that morning at an event where he appeared to be opening the door to the House House of Representatives had option to give incumbent Speaker Patrick McHenry temporary powers to avoid gridlock in the House.
In the first vote, 20 Republicans turned away from him and in the second, 22 refused to vote for him. In the third case, there were 25 defections and two absences from his group, although Jordan met with Republicans who refused to support him.
After his third plenary defeat, the youth wrestling champion was eliminated from his own group. It is unknown when there will be a new vote, but Republicans must have a new candidate by then. They will meet on Monday to try to reach a consensus.
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