Republicans Reject Jim Jordan for House Speaker on First Ballot

Rep. Jim Jordan was rejected by Republicans for House speaker on the first ballot, as 20 holdouts denied him the GOP majority needed to seize the gavel. More voting is expected as Jordan works to shore up support to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy for the job.

Washington, Oct 17 AP: Republicans rejected Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker on a first ballot on Tuesday, as an unexpectedly numerous 20 holdouts denied the hard-charging ally of Donald Trump the GOP majority needed to seize the gavel. More voting is expected as Jordan works to shore up support to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy for the job but the House immediately went into recess as the firebrand leader of the GOPs hard-right flank struggled to take a central seat of US power.

The Holdouts

The holdouts are a mix of pragmatists, ranging from seasoned legislators and committee chairs worried about governing to newer lawmakers from districts where their voters back home prefer President Joe Biden to Trump. But with public pressure bearing down on lawmakers from Trumps allies including Fox News Channels Sean Hannity, its unclear how long the holdouts can last.

Jordan's Political Climb

The political climb has been steep for Jordan, the combative Judiciary Committee chairman and a founding member of the right-flank Freedom Caucus. He is known more as a chaos agent than a skilled legislator, raising questions about how he would lead. Congress faces daunting challenges, risking a federal shutdown if it fails to fund the government and fielding President Joe Bidens requests for aid to help Ukraine and Israel in the wars abroad.

The Contentious Vote

To seize the gavel, Jordan will need almost the full majority of his colleagues behind him in a House floor vote, as Democrats are certain to back their own nominee, Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. With the House Republican majority narrowly held at 221-212, Jordan can afford to lose only a few votes to reach the 217 majority threshold, if there are no further absences.

The Democrats' Response

Democrats have decried the far-right shift, calling Jordan the leader of the chaos wing of the GOP. Jordan has been a top Trump ally, particularly during the January 6 Capitol attack by the former presidents backers who were trying to overturn the 2020 election he lost to Biden. Days later, Trump awarded Jordan a Medal of Freedom.

The Path Forward

It could take multiple rounds during House floor voting, not unlike in January when it took McCarthy 15 ballots to win the gavel. Tensions remained high among Republicans ahead of voting. Rank-and-file Republicans are exhausted by the internal party infighting with no other work being done in Congress. Some Republicans resent being pressured by Jordans allies and say they are being threatened with primary opponents if they dont support him as speaker.

The Republicans' rejection of Jim Jordan for House speaker on the first ballot has thrown the party into further disarray. With no clear path forward, it remains to be seen whether Jordan can secure the necessary votes to win the gavel or if the House will be plunged into a prolonged leadership battle.