Jim Jordan, the Ohio Representative who emerged as a frontrunner for the position of Speaker of the House, has officially dropped out of the race after failing to secure the gavel in a secret ballot vote. This development has left the House of Representatives in a state of leadership limbo, with no clear successor in sight.
Jordan’s Three Failed Attempts
Jim Jordan’s journey to become Speaker of the House came to an abrupt end when he lost a crucial secret ballot vote among his fellow Republicans in a private conference. The vote tally stood at 122-86 against Jordan, marking his third unsuccessful attempt at securing the speakership.
The first attempt on Tuesday saw twenty Republicans voting against Jordan, with the number increasing to 22 on Wednesday. In Friday’s vote, 25 Republicans opposed his candidacy. These numbers paint a grim picture for Jordan, as his vote total of 194 stands as a modern low for a majority party’s nominee for speaker.
Growing Leadership Vacuum
With Jordan no longer in contention, the Republican party is facing a leadership vacuum in Congress. A candidate forum is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Eastern on Monday, and lawmakers have until noon on Sunday to declare their candidacy.
Two Republican Representatives, Austin Scott of Georgia and Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, have already announced their intention to run for Speaker.
The Ouster of Kevin McCarthy
Jordan’s nomination was made by the ousted Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, who himself faced removal from the position on October 3. McCarthy’s efforts to rally support for Jordan’s candidacy fell flat, ultimately leading to Jordan’s withdrawal.
Democratic Unity and the Impasse
On the Democratic side, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries received 210 votes as the nominee for Speaker, with all House Democrats voting unanimously in his favor. However, the 25 Republican members who voted for other candidates prevented both Jordan and Jeffries from securing a majority.
Frustration and Failed Attempts
Republican frustration escalated when a Jordan-backed initiative to empower temporary speaker pro tempore Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) to advance legislation failed just before a floor vote. Jordan, undeterred by the defeat, expressed optimism and stated that "the ones we lost could come back."
However, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy acknowledged the challenges, stating, "We’re in a very bad place right now."
In summary, Jim Jordan’s withdrawal from the House speaker race after his third vote defeat has left the House of Representatives in a state of disarray, with the Republican party struggling to find a suitable candidate to fill the void. The leadership vacuum adds to the political uncertainty in Congress, and the path to selecting the next Speaker remains unclear.
Jim Jordan drops out of House speaker race after losing third vote, signifying the ongoing challenges within the House of Representatives as they seek to establish new leadership.
The Impact of Jordan’s Withdrawal on House Leadership
Why did Jim Jordan lose a secret ballot?
CNN’s Manu Raju sheds light on the predicament confronting House Republicans as Rep. Jim Jordan’s quest for the speakership unraveled, culminating in his defeat after a third round of voting. Jordan’s challenges deepened when he faced a secret ballot vote within the GOP conference, determining whether he should persist in the race or concede. Inside sources reveal that Jordan acknowledged the outcome and chose to step back from the contest.
Do House Republicans still support Jim Jordan?
Despite the emergence of dissent within their ranks, a contingent of House Republicans who have been steadfastly casting their votes in favor of Rep. Jim Jordan for the speakership maintain their unwavering support. This loyalty endures even in the wake of 25 House GOP colleagues opting for alternative candidates during the third ballot. According to Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, who remains a vocal proponent, the encouragement for Jordan extends beyond mere votes, as he affirmed, "I told him that on the floor."
What happens if Jordan is not the Speaker of the House?
Following his loss of support in the third vote on Friday, Rep. Jim Jordan’s inability to secure the speakership has significant repercussions. As long as the House remains without a speaker, the legislative process grinds to a halt. This impasse prevents the chamber from advancing vital bills, including crucial measures such as stopgap government funding or aid packages for nations like Israel and Ukraine. The absence of a Speaker creates a legislative standstill that can impact various critical agendas.
Did Jim Jordan hemorrhage votes?
The erosion of support for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the Republican nominee for House speaker, continues, creating a persistent deadlock within the Republican ranks. Jordan’s ongoing loss of votes has exacerbated the internal divisions among Republicans.
Did Jim Jordan drop his bid for speaker?
On October 20, Jim Jordan’s aspirations to become Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives came to an end. Fellow Republicans withdrew their support after a third unsuccessful vote on the House floor. Jordan’s bid for the speakership concluded as a result of this loss of support.
Why did Jim Jordan drop out of the House speaker race?
Jim Jordan, a beleaguered Republican, made the decision to withdraw his nomination following his defeat in a secret ballot vote within a private conference of fellow Republicans on a Friday afternoon. The vote results, standing at 122-86 against Jordan, were instrumental in his choice to end his pursuit of the House speaker position.
