Speaker Designate Jim Jordan (R-OH) is projecting confidence in his speakership bid even as more than 20 members of his own party may still oppose his nomination on the floor, leaving the House at a standstill as Republicans scramble to elect a new speaker.
The House is set to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday for its third round of speakership votes, although it remains unclear whether Jordan has wrangled enough GOP members to support him after sinking his bid earlier this week. During the second round of votes on Wednesday, 22 Republicans voted against Jordan’s nomination, falling short of the 217-threshold needed to secure the speaker’s gavel.
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Still, Jordan maintains he is not dropping out — urging his colleagues to rally behind his candidacy so the House can restart its legislative business and advance must-pass legislation.
“We’ve got important work to do. We need to help Israel. We need to get the appropriations process moving so that the key elements of our government are funded,” Jordan said on Friday. “The quickest way to get all this working is to get a speaker elected. That’s what I want to do today.”
Jordan met with several of the 22 Republicans who voted against his nomination on Thursday evening in an effort to chip away at the mounting opposition and inch his way closer to the 217 votes needed to clinch the speaker’s gavel. However, the Ohio Republican walked away from the meeting with little progress to show, as several of the holdouts indicated they were unconvinced to change their vote.
Some members are also quietly considering other options as Jordan continues to speak with holdouts. Texas Republicans are set to discuss possibly throwing Rep. Jodey Arrington’s (R-TX) name in the ring, according to a source familiar with the talks, although it remains unclear whether the party at large would agree to backing a different candidate.
Meanwhile, Jordan allies are pressing their colleagues to support his bid, arguing his nomination is the only path forward.
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“I don't know how we get out of this if you don't like Jim Jordan,” said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who has been a staunch supporter of Jordan’s speakership. “There's no close second, third, or fourth to Jim Jordan.”
It’s not yet clear whether lawmakers are expected to stay in Washington over the weekend for possible votes. Jordan dodged questions on whether he would continue pushing for votes in an effort to wear down his detractors, though he alluded to the 15 ballots it took to elect former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).