WASHINGTON (ChurchMilitant.com) – Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, will attempt to secure enough support to become Speaker of the House today, as a vote to fill the position is set to start at noon.
Rep. Jim Jordan and Rep. Kevin McCarthy
The House will attempt today to fill its speaker vacancy caused by the Oct. 3 ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
Jordan is the GOP frontrunner.
Jordan became the conservative nominee for the gavel after an internal vote among House Republicans on Friday.
Jordan has been endorsed to become speaker by many in the Republican Party, including President Donald Trump and former speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who made Jordan the House judiciary chairman. As chairman, Jordan led investigations into the FBI’s mistreatment of Catholics.
Jordan is currently speculated to lack the votes needed to become speaker, at least on the first ballot. The exact number of votes needed is not known, as absent members or those voting “present” can shift what is considered a majority. If all members are present and vote, the number needed to secure the position is 217.
Republicans have 221 members in the House, but at least six members have reportedly said they won’t vote for Jordan, at least on the first ballot. According to The Hill, at least six Republicans say they’ll vote against him on the first ballot:
Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said he is “opposed” to Jordan, but not “never, never”
Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., said he is planning to vote for Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise
Rep. Carlos Giménez, R-Fla., is voting for McCarthy
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., is planning to vote for McCarthy
Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, R-Fla., is planning to vote for Rep. Scalise on the first ballot, and
Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., said he is a “no” on Jordan after meeting with him Monday night.
When McCarthy was elected speaker in January, it took 15 rounds of voting, a list of concessions, and some Republicans voting “present” for the California representative to win.
Jim Jordan was one of the founding members of the House Freedom Caucus, generally considered the most conservative bloc of the House GOP. The Ohio congressman has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2007 and is an ally of President Trump.
