The House of Representatives is gearing up for a second round of balloting on Wednesday morning in the ongoing battle to select a new House speaker. Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, aiming to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy, faced a setback on Tuesday when he lost 20 Republican votes. In the aftermath, Jordan appealed to his colleagues, urging them to cease internal conflicts and unite for the greater good.
Jordan’s rapid ascent in the ranks has garnered support from figures like former President Trump and the far-right faction within the party. However, he now faces the challenging task of winning over dissenting voices within his own party.
Amidst this tense atmosphere, bipartisan groups of lawmakers have been brainstorming solutions to navigate the uncharted waters created by McCarthy’s removal. One proposal gaining traction involves enhancing the authority of the interim speaker, Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, or potentially appointing another temporary speaker. This unprecedented move comes after the House ousted its speaker for the first time in history, thrusting lawmakers into unfamiliar territory.
Notably, two former Republican House speakers, Newt Gingrich and John Boehner, have publicly endorsed the idea of empowering the interim speaker. Gingrich, in particular, expressed skepticism about Jordan’s ability to garner significant support beyond the 200 votes he received in the initial round of voting. Speaking on Fox News’ Sean Hannity show, Gingrich emphasized the need for swift action, stating, “We can’t sit around and hope the world will wait until the House Republicans get their act together.” Boehner echoed Gingrich’s sentiments, indicating his agreement with the proposal via social media.
As the House prepares for the second round of voting, all eyes remain on Jordan and his ability to rally support from within his party. The outcome of this pivotal vote will significantly impact the direction of the House and the dynamics of the Republican party moving forward.
