In a disappointing lack of progress within the House GOP, Rep. Jim Jordan has failed to secure enough votes to become the next speaker, which means more rounds of voting are to come.
Because of the slim majority, Jordan needed all but three Republicans to support him in order to attain the required threshold. However, 20 Republicans voted against Jordan for House speaker. They instead voted for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Rep. Steve Scalise, former Rep. Lee Zeldin, or others.
Jordan's loss further underscores the party’s struggle to find a consensus candidate to replace the ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who went through 15 rounds of voting to secure the position earlier this year. Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) eyed the position last week but dropped out after failing to garner enough Republican support, ultimately supporting Jordan.
BREAKING: 20 Republicans vote against Jim Jordan on the first ballot for Speaker of the House
— ALX 🎃 (@alx) October 17, 2023
Bacon
Buck
Chavez-Deremer
D’Esposito
Diaz Balart
Ellzey
Garbarino
Gimenez
Gonzales
Granger
James
Kelly
Kiggans
Lalota
Lamalfa
Lawler
Rutherford
Spartz
Simpson
Womack
New York Rep. Elise Stefanik nominated Jordan on the House floor, describing him as an 'America-first warrior who goes after corruption and delivers accountability on behalf of We the People.' McCarthy also backed Jordan during the vote, but it still didn’t push party support over the line.
SEE ALSO: Divided House: McCarthy Makes History as First Speaker Removed from Office
With ongoing divisions within the Republican ranks, the GOP leadership battle is expected to drag on, leaving the party – and the entire Congress – in a state of uncertainty as they search for a new speaker to lead their caucus.
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This is a developing story.