Jordan holdouts float new powers for House speaker pro tempore in interim
October 17, 2023 03:31 PM
Republicans who are holding out on Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) for speaker said lawmakers should consider expanding the powers given to Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) until the House can come to a consensus.
“We need to do that,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) said. “It’s not just about the situation now. It’s about the future. If we have an incapacitated speaker of the House in the future due to illness or injury or whatever, this place can’t stop working. So we need to fix that problem. That’s an inherent problem inside the houses.”
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), who also opposed Jordan’s speakership, similarly called for extended powers for McHenry — vowing to vote against the Ohio Republican due to concerns “the chaos of the last week would only continue if Congressman Jordan becomes speaker.”
“Until we can find clear consensus among the Republican Conference, it’s time to give expanded authority to Speaker Pro Tempore McHenry so the House can resume governing,” Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. “In the meantime, I’m supporting Kevin McCarthy, because he’s the only member who’s received anywhere close to the 217 votes needed to select a speaker. I’ll continue to reassess where things stand as this process plays out.”
Other members who voted against Jordan have expressed similar intentions to continue opposing his name on the floor.
“I have no intention of moving,” Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) said after the vote. “I have been transparent from the start.”
Jordan failed to win the speakership during the first round of votes after 20 Republicans chose not to vote for him, putting him well below the 217-vote margin needed to win the majority on the floor. It’s not yet clear when lawmakers will reconvene for a second round, but a spokesman for Jordan said it’s likely to come before the end of the day.
“The House needs a speaker as soon as possible,” said Russell Dye, spokesman for Jordan. “Expect another round of votes today. It’s time for Republicans to come together.”
Jordan allies had expected several holdouts during the first round of voting but said they would push for a floor vote to get members on the record and to find out which members they should court for support. However, some Republicans acknowledged the 20 “no” votes was higher than expected, indicating an uphill battle for Jordan as many lawmakers seem unwilling to budge.
Gimenez, an initial Jordan holdout who voted against the Ohio Republican during the first round, didn’t confirm how he would vote a second time but maintained he remains “unmoved” when it comes to his nomination.
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The House went into a brief recess to give Jordan an opportunity to meet with several members of the Republican Party who voted against his speakership bid on Tuesday afternoon, falling short of the majority needed to clinch the speaker’s gavel.
McCarthy required 15 ballots to be elected speaker in January.