Momentum Swings in Jordan’s Favor as Holdouts Flip Ahead of Speaker Vote

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) speaks with reporters after a GOP meeting in Washington on Oct. 16, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has won over some early holdouts among the Republican conference in support of his bid for the U.S. House speaker’s gavel ahead of a planned Oct. 17 floor vote.

In recent days, some key GOP holdouts, including Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.), and Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), are several key “never Jordans” who now say they will vote for the Ohio lawmaker.

In a thread posted to X, Mr. Rogers—who earlier said he would never support Mr. Jordan—said he’s changed his mind and will support Mr. Jordan.

“[Jim Jordan] and I have had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the past two days,” Mr. Rogers said. “We agreed on the need for Congress to pass a strong NDAA, appropriations to fund our government’s vital functions, and other important legislation like the Farm Bill.

“As a result, I have decided to support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House on the floor.”

Seeking Consensus

After Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) ouster as speaker on Oct. 3, the deeply divided Republican caucus has scrambled to find consensus for a replacement.

Some frustrated Republicans have despaired amid the party’s disagreements over a candidate, leading to suggestions that Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), the nearly powerless speaker pro tempore of the House, could be given emergency powers in the interim.

Mr. Jordan became the second Republican nominated for the top job in the House on Oct. 14.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) was initially nominated by Republicans and defeated Mr. Jordan in a 111–99 vote. However, Mr. Scalise announced he was withdrawing his candidacy after it became apparent that he couldn’t garner enough support to get over the finish line.

U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) announces he is taking his name out of the running for U.S. House speaker in Washington on Oct. 12, 2023. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Mr. Jordan won the nomination with 124 votes within the GOP conference and then claimed 152 votes when members were asked if they would support him on the House floor; that still left him short of the 217 votes he needs to win the gavel.

If the momentum continues, Mr. Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, could be on track to be named speaker of the House.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) leaves the office of U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 27, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Mr. Calvert said in a post on X that his concerns about Mr. Jordan were assuaged after speaking with the nominee.

“After having a conversation with Jim Jordan about how we must get the House back on a path to achieve our national security and appropriations goals, I will be supporting him for Speaker on the floor,” Mr. Calvert said.

Earlier, Mr. McClintock, another former holdout, also announced that he would back Mr. Jordan.

“House Republicans have suffered a total breakdown of party discipline. A majority party is only a majority party when it votes as a majority,” Mr. McClintock wrote on X. “McCarthy should never have been ousted, but now Jim Jordan is the majority’s choice and deserves the vote of every Republican.”

Ms. Wagner also came out for Mr. Jordan after initial opposition.

“Jim Jordan and I spoke at length again this morning, and he has allayed my concerns about keeping the government open with conservative funding, the need for strong border security, our need for consistent international support in times of war and unrest, as well as the need for stronger protections against the scourge of human trafficking and child exploitation,” Ms. Wagner said in a statement.

“Jim Jordan is our conference nominee, and I will support his nomination for Speaker on the House floor.”

Most recently, Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Ferguson also announced their support for Mr. Jordan.

In a post on X, Mr. Buchanan acknowledged that he was “deeply frustrated by the way this process played out,” but said he decided to support Mr. Jordan after “a very productive [conversation].”

Mr. Ferguson wrote in a post, “I’ll be voting for Jim Jordan on the House floor tomorrow.”

In a post on X, Mr. Wittman also vowed his support for Mr. Jordan.

“I just had a productive conversation with [Jim Jordan] about our shared priorities for this Congress,” Mr. Wittman said, citing issues the two discussed such as the National Defense Authorization Act, funding the government, and securing the border. “Jim has my support for Speaker.”

Challenges Remain

The flips represent substantial victories for Mr. Jordan, but he still has several opponents to convince in his bid for the speakership.

Meanwhile, Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.), who announced his bid minutes before the conference and who had done no campaigning, nevertheless drew the support of roughly 40 percent of Republicans present. Since then, Mr. Scott, as well as several of those who voted for him, has endorsed Mr. Jordan, yielding to the will of the conference.

Meanwhile, several opponents to Mr. Jordan’s bid remain.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), who serves alongside Mr. Rogers on the Armed Services Committee, said last week that he would need “to chew on it” when asked about whether he'd support Mr. Jordan.

House Republican Israel Caucus member Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) joins a news conference about the military conflict between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on May 19, 2021. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In a post re-shared by Mr. Bacon, Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Calif.) said that he would support Mr. McCarthy, despite the latter’s exhortations that his party back Mr. Jordan, suggesting that Mr. Bacon also plans on supporting Mr. McCarthy.

Rep. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) told The Epoch Times last week that he would absolutely refuse to support Mr. Jordan, citing conference rules dictating that all members of the GOP conference must yield to the candidate nominated by the majority for the speakership. Mr. Rutherford said he would continue to support Mr. Scalise, the previous nominee.

On Oct. 16, Mr. Rutherford reiterated his opposition to Mr. Jordan in comments to reporters, tying it to Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) support of the candidate. Mr. Gaetz led the effort to oust Mr. McCarthy.

“I’m a ‘no’ on allowing Matt Gaetz and the other seven to win by putting their individual in as speaker,” Mr. Rutherford said.

Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) also reiterated on Oct. 16 that he remained opposed to Mr. Jordan.

Other opponents to Mr. Jordan who’ve made no indication that their mind has been changed include Reps. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), and Steve Womack (R-Ark.).

217 Votes Needed

There’s still a possibility that Mr. Jordan could ultimately fail to meet the 217 vote threshold to become speaker, as he can only spare five “no” votes.

If Mr. Jordan fails to get enough votes, it’s possible that the House GOP could turn to Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), the largest ideological congressional caucus.

Mr. Hern’s name first surfaced during the speaker vote in January that Mr. McCarthy won after 15 rounds and offering concessions to hardline conservatives. The RSC includes both conservative and moderate House Republicans.

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) speaks during a House Small Business Committee hearing in Washington on July 17, 2020. Erin Scott/Pool/Getty Images

Alternatively, Mr. McHenry, who currently holds very limited power as the appointed speaker pro tempore, could be made elected speaker pro tempore. This would give him the authority to advance legislation to address pressing foreign and domestic matters, including the Israel–Hamas war, and with just over a month to go until government funding runs out.

However, Republicans appear reluctant to engage in this option, expressing concerns about the legality of such a move.

President Joe Biden said he will shortly ask Congress to approve supplemental funding legislation to support Israel.

A resolution introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) could be voted on if there is an elected speaker or speaker pro tempore.

The desire for Congress to do more to support Israel could also prompt lawmakers to consider other options, such as altering House rules.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the House is required to choose a speaker, although the scope of his powers is left largely to rules decided upon by the members of the chamber. Because a rule change takes only a simple majority, lawmakers could temporarily vote to change the rules to allow legislation to pass in the absence of a speaker.

However, several Republicans seem unwilling to pursue the election of a speaker pro tempore.