GOP faces Speaker dilemma as Jim Jordan's bid stalls

Republican Representative Jim Jordan’s quest to become the next Speaker of the United States House of Representatives hit a roadblock as the first vote resulted in 20 members of his own party refusing to back him. This stiff resistance from within his own ranks has cast uncertainty over the future leadership of the House.

Jim Jordan, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump and a right-wing figure, managed to secure 200 votes in the initial ballot on Tuesday. However, he fell short of the required 217 votes to become the Speaker. While his Democratic counterpart, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, received 212 votes, Democrats being in the minority party means it was not sufficient for him to clinch the position.

In light of the unexpected opposition, Jordan postponed any further votes until Wednesday morning, leaving the House in a leadership vacuum since the ousting of Kevin McCarthy just two weeks ago in a right-wing revolt. The absence of a Speaker has rendered the House unable to pass legislation or approve White House requests, including potential aid for Israel amid its conflict with Hamas.

Jordan, not one to back down easily, expressed confidence that he would ultimately prevail. He noted, “We’re making progress. I feel good about it. We’re gonna keep going.” However, in a chamber where his party holds a slim 221-212 majority, Jordan can afford to lose only four Republican votes, making his path to the Speakership a challenging one.

Several Republicans who voted against Jordan, including some from New York, cited various political issues, including his opposition to benefits for survivors of the 9/11 attacks, as their reason for not supporting him. Meanwhile, others, like Elise Stefanik, praised Jordan as “a patriot” and an “America First warrior.”

Jim Jordan’s history of feuding with members of his own party, stemming from his association with the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, was not forgotten. The House Judiciary Committee chairman initially indicated a second vote would occur on Tuesday, but it was later scheduled for 11:00 (15:00 GMT) on Wednesday.

In a statement, Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries offered to work with Republicans to find a Speaker that could garner support from both parties. “There’s a possibility those [conversations] can accelerate now that Jim Jordan clearly does not have the votes for Speaker,” he said.

The unfolding situation has provided Democrats with an opportunity to depict Jim Jordan as an extremist. California Democrat Nancy Pelosi, a two-time former Speaker, suggested that Republicans were “taking lessons on mathematics and how to count.”

If support for Jim Jordan collapses, the next potential Speaker candidate is Minnesota’s Tom Emmer, who holds the third-highest ranking among House Republicans. The previous Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, faced a protracted 15-round voting process over four days in January to secure the position.

This development adds to the turmoil in the Republican Party, with fierce resistance among hardliners, including Jordan himself, contributing to McCarthy’s ouster earlier this month. The Speakership holds significant weight, being second in line to the presidency after the vice president.

The future of the House speakership remains uncertain as it hinges on the outcome of the upcoming vote and the willingness of House Republicans to rally behind a new leader.