The race for the speaker of the House position in the United States has been a chaotic and contentious one. Republican Representative Jim Jordan, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, has been vying for the top job but has faced significant opposition within his own party. In the first floor vote of the speakership election, 20 House Republicans opposed Jordan, leaving him far short of the 217 votes needed to secure the position. With Republicans holding a razor-thin majority in the House, Jordan could only afford four defections within his conference and still ascend to the speakership.[0]
The opposition to Jordan's bid has steadily grown with each successive ballot.[1] On Wednesday, 22 Republican representatives voted against Jordan in the second round of voting, and on Friday, 25 House Republicans joined the united Democratic caucus in opposing his third bid for speaker. This led to a closed-door vote to strip him of the nomination.[1] Jordan's support has been dwindling, with more members of his own party turning against him in each round of voting.
The opposition to Jordan's candidacy has been driven by various factions within the Republican Party.[1] Six of the 18 Republicans representing districts won by President Joe Biden in the 2020 election voted against Jordan.[2] House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger of Texas and five GOP members on her panel also voted against Jordan, indicating that his previous efforts to sink spending bills have generated hard feelings among his colleagues.[2]
Jordan's candidacy has opened up new wounds within the Republican Party.[3] Many of the same rebels who held former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy hostage in January were also those who helped block Representative Steve Scalise's bid for the position in order to support Jordan.[3] However, this move angered establishment Republicans, leading to a united front of opposition against Jordan. The fight over Jordan's candidacy has exposed deep divisions within the party, with members on both sides believing they are taking a necessary stand.
Jordan's tactics and hard-right beliefs have long caused friction within his party. Many of his more moderate and rule-following peers view his actions as counterproductive.[4] As Jordan continued to mount his speaker race, the grumbles against him grew louder.[4] His supporters argued that the moderates were standing in the way of the majority's views, but opponents saw his candidacy as rewarding bad behavior and attempting to blackmail the conference.[4]
The failure of Jordan's bid for speaker has left the House without a leader, causing significant challenges for legislative progress. Without a speaker, the House cannot advance any legislation, including critical bills such as a stopgap government funding measure and aid packages for Israel and Ukraine.[5] The government funding is set to run out in less than a month, raising the possibility of a federal shutdown.[6]
The Republican Party will now hold a candidate forum on Monday in an attempt to find a new nominee for speaker.[7] Jordan's failed bid has alienated not only establishment Republicans and moderates but also his closest allies. The House is under immense pressure to fill the speaker seat and resume legislative functions before crucial deadlines approach.
Overall, the race for the speaker of the House position has exposed deep divisions within the Republican Party and left the House without a leader. The failure of Jordan's bid has created uncertainty and challenges for legislative progress, with critical bills and funding measures on the line. The party will need to regroup and find a new nominee to move forward and address the pressing issues facing the nation.
0. “Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pa. says he's opposed to Jim Jordan as House speaker; Jordan won't seek another vote” The Philadelphia Inquirer, 19 Oct. 2023, https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/jim-jordan-house-speaker-brian-fitzpatrick-mike-kelly-20231019.html
1. “House GOP Drops Jordan as Speaker Nominee in Secret-Ballot Vote” National Review, 20 Oct. 2023, https://www.nationalreview.com/news/opposition-to-jim-jordans-speaker-bid-grows-in-third-failed-floor-vote/
2. “Congressional chaos deepens as Jordan puts bid for speakership on hold” Business Insider, 19 Oct. 2023, https://www.businessinsider.com/congressional-chaos-deepens-as-jordan-drops-bid-for-speakership-2023-10
3. “Republicans Started a Civil War They Don't Know How to End” New York Magazine, 20 Oct. 2023, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/10/republicans-started-a-civil-war-they-dont-know-how-to-end.html
4. “Jim Jordan's speaker bid blocked by his own tactics” The Boston Globe, 20 Oct. 2023, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/20/nation/jim-jordan-speaker-failed-vote-hardliners
5. “Jim Jordan is out. Here's the three Texas Republicans who helped keep him from the speaker's gavel.” The Texas Tribune, 20 Oct. 2023, https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/20/kay-granger-tony-gonzales-jake-ellzey-texas-republicans/
6. “Jim Jordan forced out of House speaker race after losing secret ballot” The Guardian US, 20 Oct. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/20/jim-jordan-forced-out-house-speaker-republicans
7. “House Again Fails to Elect a Speaker” Voice of America – VOA News, 20 Oct. 2023, https://www.voanews.com/a/house-again-fails-to-elect-a-speaker/7319814.html
