Can Jim Jordan secure the gavel? Follow here for live updates.
Two weeks after Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) historic ouster as speaker, the House is set to vote today to find a replacement.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is looking to secure 217 votes from fellow Republicans needed for him to win the gavel. The Trump-endorsed candidate has picked up some endorsements from holdouts, but whether he has enough to take the speakership remains to be seen. In January, Mr. McCarthy won the gavel after 15 ballot rounds over four days.
Mr. Jordan became speaker-designate after House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) dropped out when it became apparent he couldn’t win enough votes.
Next Vote on Wednesday–5:25 p.m.
There will be no more votes tonight and the House will reconvene at 11 a.m. on Oct. 18 for the second round of ballots for the speaker, according to a notice sent by Majority Whip Tom Emmer.
GOP Congressman Compares Speaker Impasse to Kindergarten–4:04 p.m.
Talking to reporters, Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) compared the House not having a speaker for two weeks to “kindergarten” and called the mess “a shame.”
Rep. Díaz-Balart Still a No on Jordan–3:40 p.m.
Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-Fla.) said he is still against Mr. Jordan being speaker even though he said the two have a good relationship. He said the reasons for his opposition were that it was just eight Republicans that joined all Democrats in stripping Mr. McCarthy of the gavel and too many in the House GOP refusing the respect the will of the entire conference when it came to Mr. Scalise being the speaker-designate.
Rep. Buck Refuses to Budge–3:28 p.m.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), who voted against Mr. Jordan, told NTD, The Epoch Times’ sister media outlet, that under no circumstances would he vote for the Ohio congressman. Mr Buck said he wants a speaker who supports U.S. assistance to Ukraine and acknowledges that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
Expect Another Round of Voting, Per Jordan’s Office – 3:07 p.m.
“The House needs a speaker as soon as possible,” Russell Dye, Jordan’s spokesperson, told reporters. “Expect another round of votes today. It’s time for Republicans to come together.”
GOP Congressman Would Flip to Jordan on Second Ballot–2:16 p.m.
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), who voted for Mr. McCarthy on the first ballot, told reporters after the vote that he would support Mr. Jordan on a second ballot.
House in Recess–1:56 p.m.
The House is in recess subject to the call of Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), the speaker pro tempore. Whether there will be a second ballot for Mr. Jordan is to be determined.
Jordan Fails to Win Gavel on 1st Ballot–1:43 p.m.
Mr. Jordan lost 20 Republicans on the first ballot. He could only afford to lose five Republicans given the GOP absences. A second ballot is expected to be taken. Mr. Jordan got 200 and Mr. Jeffries got 212.
