In a significant turn of events on Friday, Republican lawmakers withdrew their support for Rep. Jim Jordan as their choice for speaker of the House of Representatives after his unsuccessful third attempt to secure the position. The GOP’s next nominee remains uncertain, leaving the House without a leader for over two weeks. The deadlock comes at a critical time as Congress grapples with the looming threat of a government shutdown, and urgent calls from the White House for security assistance for Israel.
Shocking Behind-the-Scenes Drama: You Won’t Believe What These Lawmakers Are Willing to Sacrifice!
Despite his waning support in successive House votes, Jordan persisted in the race, backed by former President Donald Trump. However, on Friday, 25 Republicans voted against him, marking a significant increase from the 22 votes against him in the previous round. Following this setback, Republicans held a closed-door meeting and effectively passed a vote of no-confidence, leading to Jordan’s removal from consideration.
The GOP lawmakers plan to regroup over the weekend and reconvene on Monday for a candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. ET. Subsequently, they aim to hold a GOP conference vote at 9 a.m. Tuesday, with the hope of conducting a floor vote on the same day, as outlined by interim Speaker Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. The outcome of these upcoming events will determine the party’s candidate for the crucial position of House speaker.
With Rep. Jim Jordan no longer in the running, several Republicans have emerged as potential candidates for the position of speaker of the House. As of Friday afternoon, the following Republicans are either officially running or considering running for the position:
- Rep. Kevin Hern, Oklahoma
- Rep. Jack Bergman, Michigan
- Rep. Mike Johnson, Louisiana
- Rep. Tom Emmer, Minnesota
- Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida
- Rep. Jodey Arrington, Texas
- Rep. Roger Williams, Texas
- Rep. Pete Sessions, Texas
- Rep. Austin Scott, Georgia
- Rep. Dan Meuser, Pennsylvania
(Source: NBC News)
These individuals will likely garner attention and support from within the party as Republicans work to select their nominee for the crucial role of House speaker.
Before his unsuccessful bid, Rep. Jim Jordan remained determined, referencing former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s 15 rounds of voting before clinching the position. Addressing reporters before the vote, Jordan acknowledged the historical precedent of multiple rounds of speaker voting and emphasized the urgency of electing a speaker promptly to serve the American people.
During the session, McCarthy officially nominated Jordan for the position, prompting laughter from lawmakers in the chamber. McCarthy praised Jordan’s unwavering dedication to freedom throughout his career, expressing confidence in Jordan’s readiness for the challenging role of speaker, especially within the Republican conference.
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The Democratic nominee for speaker of the House, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, asked moderate Republicans on Friday to cut their ties to Rep. Jim Jordan and work together to find a bipartisan way to end the impasse. Jeffries underlined the need to break from Jordan’s extreme position and cooperate with Democrats to find a middle solution.
“We recognize that Jim Jordan is a clear and present danger to the American people,” Jeffries stated, emphasizing the urgency to end what he referred to as a “national nightmare.” Despite these efforts, Jordan’s bid failed after Republicans abandoned a proposal to temporarily empower interim Speaker Patrick McHenry to oversee legislation passage until the party resolves its internal divisions.
Democrats had shown openness to supporting McHenry, and he garnered six Republican votes on Friday. However, the Republican Party has been unable to elect a new speaker for over two weeks, following the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy by a faction led by Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. Gaetz suggested that Republican holdouts, upset over McCarthy’s removal, are hindering Jordan’s candidacy for speaker. The internal divisions within the party continue to complicate the process of selecting a new House speaker.
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U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and his group of eight fellow lawmakers declared their willingness to face severe consequences, including censure, sanctions, suspension, or removal from the Republican conference. Gaetz made this statement to reporters, expressing their determination to support Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid for speaker, even if it meant sacrificing their own positions within the party.
Before the third vote on Friday, Rep. Bob Good of Virginia expressed confidence that Jordan could secure the speakership if the House continued with repeated ballots. Good highlighted the precedent set during the opposition to McCarthy’s speaker candidacy in January, which only broke after the 12th round of voting. Good was among the Republicans who voted to remove McCarthy earlier in the month. The remarks underline the steadfast support for Jordan within a faction of the Republican Party, despite the ongoing challenges and divisions.
Congress is running out of time to pass budget legislation before the government shuts down on November 17th due to the lack of leadership in the House.
Furthermore, President Joe Biden has stated that Congress is unable to take up vital national security objectives. On Thursday, Biden declared that he will approach Congress to approve security aid for Israel in its conflict with Hamas and for Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion.
FAQs
Q1: What’s the background of the House Speaker election mentioned in the article?
A1: The House Speaker election discussed in the article refers to the ongoing efforts by the Republican Party to select a new Speaker of the House of Representatives after the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The party has faced internal divisions and multiple rounds of voting to determine the successor, leading to a leadership vacuum in the House.
Q2: Who are the key Republican candidates for the position of House Speaker, and why did Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid face opposition?
A2: Key Republican candidates for House Speaker include Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), who faced opposition due to concerns about his candidacy within the Republican Party. Some party members did not support him, leading to challenges in securing the necessary votes.
Q3: What tactics did Rep. Matt Gaetz and his group employ to support Jim Jordan’s candidacy?
A3: Rep. Matt Gaetz and his group expressed their unwavering support for Jim Jordan, even willing to face severe consequences such as censure or suspension to ensure Jordan’s election. They lobbied other Republicans to back Jordan, highlighting their determination.
Q4: Why did some Republicans propose empowering interim Speaker Patrick McHenry temporarily, and how did Democrats respond to this proposal?
A4: Some Republicans proposed empowering interim Speaker Patrick McHenry temporarily to oversee legislative matters until a permanent Speaker was elected. Democrats expressed openness to supporting McHenry, showcasing a willingness to find a bipartisan solution amid the Republican internal struggles.
Q5: How long has the House been without a Speaker, and what impact does this leadership vacuum have on ongoing legislative matters?
A5: The House has been without a Speaker for over two weeks. This leadership vacuum has created challenges in advancing legislative agendas, addressing urgent national issues, and maintaining stability within the House of Representatives.
Q6: Can you explain the significance of the 15 rounds of voting mentioned in the article, particularly in relation to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s candidacy?
A6: The mention of 15 rounds of voting refers to the historical context of prolonged voting sessions during Speaker elections. It underscores the complexity of the process and the challenges faced by candidates, similar to the situation faced by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the past.
Q7: What are the implications of the internal divisions within the Republican Party on the selection of the House Speaker, and how are different factions within the party reacting to these developments?
A7: The internal divisions within the Republican Party have complicated the Speaker selection process. Different factions have reacted differently, with some supporting candidates like Jim Jordan and others proposing temporary solutions, showcasing the party’s struggle to find consensus.
Q8: How did Rep. Bob Good’s perspective shed light on the dynamics of the Speaker election, especially in comparison to the January opposition faced by former Speaker McCarthy?
A8: Rep. Bob Good’s perspective highlighted the potential for prolonged voting sessions before consensus is reached. He drew a parallel with the January opposition faced by former Speaker McCarthy, indicating that similar challenges could be anticipated in the current situation.
Q9: What role does Rep. Hakeem Jeffries play in the situation, and how is he attempting to influence the Speaker election process from the Democratic side?
A9: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, as the House Minority Leader and a Democratic candidate for Speaker, has urged moderate Republicans to work on a bipartisan solution and distance themselves from extremist candidates. He aims to influence the Speaker election process by advocating for cooperation and bipartisan efforts.
Q10: What is the overall impact of this prolonged Speaker election on the functioning of the House of Representatives and its ability to address pressing national issues?
A10: The prolonged Speaker election has created uncertainty and instability within the House of Representatives. This impasse hampers the House’s ability to address pressing national issues efficiently, potentially delaying crucial legislation and vital policy decisions. The lack of a Speaker affects the House’s overall functioning and ability to fulfill its legislative responsibilities effectively.