House Chaos: Rep Jim Jordan Suspends Bid To Become Speaker
Chaos in the House of Representatives may be grinding to a temporary halt. Representative Jim Jordan, the GOP‘s current nominee
Tristan Green
Chaos in the House of Representatives may be grinding to a temporary halt. Representative Jim Jordan, the GOP‘s current nominee for Speaker, is suspending his bid to take the gavel. And he’s taking the surprise action of backing another for the role. At least, temporarily. Here’s what happened today and why it matters.
Jim Jordan Suspends Bid to Become Speaker
United States Representative Jim Jordan (Republican of Ohio) following a House Republican caucus meeting in the Capitol on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy (Republican of California) was recently ousted and United States House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (Republican of Louisiana) currently holds the GOP nomination for Speaker, however, Republican House Representatives continue to claim that Scalise does not have the votes that he needs to secure the Speakership. Credit: Annabelle Gordon / CNP. Photo credit: Annabelle Gordon – CNP / MEGA
Jim Jordan, the Donald Trump-backed Republican nominee for Speaker, has suspended his bid to seek the gavel. This comes ahead of what would have likely been a disastrous third voting round for the Ohio Representative. In his first vote to become Speaker, Jordan couldn’t convince 20 Republicans. During the second vote, 22 voted against him. Some sources suggest that a third vote would have seen 30 or more Republicans turning against the frontrunner.
To avoid that, Jordan has conceded his bid: for now. In January, the House will take up the conversation about who will be the new Speaker from the Republican party. For now, it’s expected that the House will grant pro tempore Speaker Patrick McHenry enough power for the chamber to begin functioning again.
McHenry took the role after Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted earlier this month.
Why it Matters That Jordan Suspended Bid And Backed McHenry
United States Representative Patrick McHenry (Republican of North Carolina), currently serving Speaker Pro Tempore, gavels to announce the vote number in the House chamber during the vote for a new Speaker of the House in the Capitol on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. United States Representative Jim Jordan (Republican of Ohio) fell short of Speaker by 20 votes. Jordan won the GOP nomination and faces no competition in his party. United States House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (Democrat of New York) is the Democratic nomination. Jordan needs 217 votes to win the Speakership. Kevin McCarthy (Republican of California) was recently ousted from the Speakership. Credit: Annabelle Gordon / CNP. Photo credit: Annabelle Gordon – CNP / MEGA
Aside from temporarily easing the chaos rumbling through the House of Representatives, Jim Jordan’s actions have other purposes. Not only does this take the pressure off the House, which seems starkly divided. But it also allows the pro tempore speaker to turn the chamber back to legislative priorities. As long as there’s no Speaker, the House can’t work on aid packages to Israel, for instance.
With 2024 elections just a year away, inaction over Israel could cost the Republicans big time. While the Senate is working hard, under Democrat control, and Democratic President Joe Biden is meeting with Israeli leaders – the GOP-controlled House has been stalled. No doubt Jordan sees this temporary concession as a chance to score some points ahead of 2024.
And it allows him to take a few months to shore up support among Republicans rather than lurching into a disastrous third vote, which he would have certainly lost. So for now, the pro tempore Speaker McHenry will likely be granted enough powers to handle major legislative issues such as government funding and humanitarian aid packages. It’s unclear as of yet what other powers McHenry might be granted. But with Democrats on board with a temporary promotion for a temporary Speaker, many options are on the table.
For now, the Speaker votes will likely be suspended as the House figures out how to grant McHenry the necessary powers. From there, they will resume sessions until it’s time to revisit the Speaker vote in January.