Jim Jordan allies' arm-twisting backfired in failed vote for House speaker
The pugilistic Judiciary Committee chair came up short in his first vote for House speaker, and it isn't clear his GOP detractors will flip
House Republicans put Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) forward for House speaker on Tuesday, but a larger-than-expected 20 Republicans voted for someone else, giving him 200 votes, far short of the 217 he needed to win the gavel. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) got 212 votes from his united Democratic caucus. Jordan vowed to "keep working" and hold another vote Wednesday, scrapping a planned second round Tuesday evening after it was clear he would fall short again, maybe even lose votes.
The House has been without a speaker since a group of eight Republicans, mostly far-right Freedom Caucus hardliners, ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) two weeks ago. The GOP's first replacement candidate, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), withdrew last week after it became clear he didn't have enough GOP votes to succeed. McCarthy only won the seat after 15 rounds of voting over five days, and Jordan's supporters have expressed confidence that "consecutive public floor votes will force holdouts to flip their way," too, The Associated Press reported.
Jordan and his allies had "hoped to work the holdouts through a mix of pleas for party unity, negotiations and a social-media fueled pressure campaign," but "the arm-twisting" was "already stirring a backlash and could cause more defections," The New York Times reported. In fact, "those tactics backfired," and "could soon doom his speakership push outright," Politico added.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Jordan's "most vocal GOP defectors" said they faced intense pressure to back him from "party bosses back home and national conservatives with big megaphones," including Fox News host Sean Hannity and Steve Bannon, Politico reported. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said "his wife even received multiple anonymous emails and texts saying: 'your husband better support Jim Jordan,'" and "even some of Jordan's supporters acknowledge that the aggressive moves have set him back."
With "Jordan at least initially stymied," some Republicans and Democrats "were intensifying quiet discussions about a potential solution that would somehow empower" unelected Speaker pro tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) "to conduct the business of the House even temporarily," the Times reported. "Some said they increasingly saw it as the only way out" of the embarrassing, paralyzing chaos of their leaderless House.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
5 high-caliber cartoons about Kristi Noem shooting her puppy
Cartoons Artists take on the rainbow bridge, a farm upstate, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Why is the world running low on blood?
Podcast Scientists believe universal donor blood is within reach – plus, the row over an immersive D-Day simulation, and an Ozempic faux pas
By The Week Staff Published
-
Rishi Sunak's asylum spat with Ireland explained
In Depth Irish government plans to override court ruling that the UK is unsafe for asylum seekers
By The Week UK Published
-
'A financial windfall for Iranian terrorism'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Xi comes to Europe: what's on the agenda?
The Explainer China's president visiting for first time since 2019, with spotlight on support for Russia over Ukraine and trade tensions with EU
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Box Trump in for real if he pulls another stunt. Put him behind bars.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Can we — the people who have bought so much already — really keep buying more?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Summer Lee, the Pennsylvania 'squad' member who beat back a primary challenge
In the Spotlight Lee is the first Black woman ever elected to Congress from the Keystone State
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Presidential debates are more performance art than actual ways to inform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Trump, DeSantis meet for first time since primary
Speed Read The former president and the Florida governor have seemingly mended their rivalry
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published