Despite facing opposition and calls to withdraw, Jim Jordan remains resolute in his quest for the House speaker position. Following tense closed-door meetings with fellow Republicans, Jordan declared his intention to seek a third vote and affirmed that he would not back out of the race.
“I’m still running for speaker, and I plan to go to the floor, get the vote, and win this race,” Jordan asserted, speaking to reporters.
He further revealed his strategy to garner support, stating, “I plan to speak with the 20 Republicans who voted against me to secure their backing.”
To prolong the speaker race, Jordan has thrown his support behind expanding the powers of the House speaker pro tempore, currently held by North Carolina’s Patrick McHenry. This move has sparked varied reactions within the Republican party.
Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized Jordan’s decision, labeling it “the wrong thing to do,” while Matt Gaetz emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We need to stay here until we elect a speaker.”
In contrast, Democrat Jared Moskowitz cautiously welcomed the potential bipartisan agreement, saying, “If there is a bipartisan deal to empower the pro-Temp, which I’m in favor of, I want to see the details, of course, first.”
Jordan’s determination sets the stage for a continued battle within the Republican party, as the pursuit of the House speaker position remains unresolved. The coming days will likely witness intense negotiations and political maneuvering as Jordan vies for the support needed to secure his candidacy.
