Jim Jordan withdraws from House Speaker race.
Conservative Jim Jordan Suspends Speaker Bid, Backs Patrick McHenry Temporarily
Hardline conservative Jim Jordan has made the decision to suspend his bid for the role of speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Instead, he will support Republican Patrick McHenry to fill the position on a temporary basis, according to lawmakers. This move comes after Jordan failed twice to secure the necessary votes to become speaker, facing opposition from both Democrats and some of his fellow Republicans.
The absence of a leader in the House for over two weeks has caused concern, and this decision has sparked outrage among Republican hardliners. This group has wielded significant influence throughout the year, pushing Washington to the brink of default and a government shutdown in their pursuit of budget cuts, which have had limited success thus far.
During a closed-door meeting with fellow Republicans, Jordan expressed his intention not to seek a third vote for the post. Instead, he plans to support a proposal that would empower McHenry to hold the position until January. Several lawmakers confirmed this development.
McHenry, who has been acting speaker since Kevin McCarthy’s removal on October 3, declined to comment, stating that there were ongoing discussions taking place.
This option, which Democrats have also indicated they might support, would allow Congress to resume its work. President Joe Biden is expected to request approval for significant funding, including $60 billion for Ukraine, $10 billion for Israel, and funding for U.S. government operations, which is set to expire in less than a month.
“I can’t believe we’re going down this route,” expressed Republican representative Jim Banks.
Afternoon Vote Possible
Republican representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who does not support the proposal, stated that the House could vote on it in the afternoon.
“Our Republican voters worked very hard to give us our majority. And this conference is broken because Republicans worked with Democrats and put us here,” she voiced her concerns.
It remains unclear whether Jordan, who has the backing of former president Donald Trump, will completely abandon his leadership bid or continue to seek support among Republicans.
The prolonged battle for leadership has exposed divisions among Republicans, who hold a narrow 221-212 majority in the chamber. Investors believe that the turmoil on Capitol Hill is contributing to market volatility.
“Right now, the Republican agenda, conservative agenda, is totally derailed,” said Republican representative Mario Diaz-Balart, an opponent of Jordan.
Jordan is now the third speaker candidate to fall victim to Republican infighting. Kevin McCarthy was removed from the position on October 3 by a small group of Republican insurgents. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, initially secured his party’s endorsement but withdrew after failing to consolidate support.
In his first attempt on Tuesday, Jordan received 200 votes, followed by 199 votes on Wednesday. Republican representative Don Bacon, one of his opponents, predicted that he would lose another 10 votes in a potential third attempt.
Opponents of Jordan have cited differences on taxes and spending as reasons for their votes against him. They also accuse him of undermining Scalise’s leadership bid last week. Additionally, some have raised concerns about harassing phone calls and death threats from Jordan’s supporters.
Supporters of Jordan argue that he would be an effective advocate for conservative policies in a city where Democrats control the White House and the Senate.
Unlike other congressional leaders, Jordan has built his reputation as an uncompromising advocate for the party’s right wing, often clashing with both Republicans and Democrats. He played a significant role in encouraging government shutdowns in 2013 and 2018 and was involved in former President Trump’s efforts to overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election, as revealed by a congressional investigation. Currently, he is part of an impeachment investigation of President Biden, which has yet to find evidence of wrongdoing by the president.
(Reporting by David Morgan, Moira Warburton, and Makini Brice, additional reporting by Katharine Jackson, Davide Barbusca, and Julio-Cesar Chavez; writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone, Grant McCool, and Nick Zieminski)
How has the absence of a speaker in the House for over two weeks raised concerns about the ability of Congress to effectively function and make important decisions, and what does it reveal about the deep divisions within the Republican party
Blican party lacks a clear and united vision,” says political analyst Jessica Smith. ”The infighting and power struggles within the party are not only detrimental to their image but also hinder their ability to effectively govern and address key issues facing the nation.”
Jordan’s decision to suspend his bid for speaker and back McHenry on a temporary basis has drawn mixed reactions within the Republican party. Some view it as a pragmatic move to ensure that Congress can resume its work and avoid further delays. Others, however, see it as a betrayal of conservative values and a concession to political compromise.
The absence of a speaker in the House for over two weeks has raised concerns among both Republicans and Democrats about the ability of Congress to effectively function and make important decisions. It has also highlighted the deep divisions within the Republican party that have been exacerbated by the hardline conservative faction.
This faction, led by members like Jordan and Greene, has been steadfast in its pursuit of budget cuts and conservative policies. Their ideologically driven agenda has often clashed with more moderate Republicans and Democrats, leading to stalemates and gridlock in Washington.
Jordan’s inability to secure the necessary votes to become speaker reflects the challenges he faces in gaining broader support within his own party. His affiliation with former president Donald Trump, while popular among his base, has not translated into widespread support among his Republican colleagues.
The decision to back McHenry temporarily could be seen as a strategic move by Jordan to maintain relevance and influence within the Republican party. By aligning himself with McHenry, who has been acting speaker since McCarthy’s removal, Jordan ensures that he still has a stake in the leadership and decision-making processes.
However, this move is not without risks. The Republican party is already fragile and divided, and Jordan’s decision could further exacerbate these divisions. It remains to be seen whether his supporters and conservative hardliners will view this as a pragmatic compromise or a betrayal of their values.
The battle for leadership in the House exposes the challenges facing the Republican party as it navigates a changing political landscape. The party must find a way to bridge the divide between its conservative and moderate factions and present a united front to address the pressing issues facing the nation.
As Congress faces important decisions on funding, government operations, and international relations, the absence of a strong and unified leadership hinders its ability to effectively govern. The repercussions of this power struggle extend beyond the walls of Capitol Hill and impact the overall stability and functioning of the country.
Ultimately, the Republican party must confront its internal divisions and strive to find common ground in order to effectively address the challenges facing the nation. The decision by Jim Jordan to suspend his bid for speaker and back Patrick McHenry temporarily reflects the ongoing struggles within the party and highlights the need for a cohesive and united vision moving forward.
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