Jim Jordan won’t hold third ballot, will back temporary powers for McHenry
Reese Gorman Ashley Oliver
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Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) will tell members of the House Republican Conference that he will not hold a third ballot and instead will back expanding the powers of Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) so the House can get back to regular order.
Jordan will announce he plans to stay on as speaker designate and that he supports expanding McHenry’s powers through January, according to two GOP sources.
JORDAN ALLIES TEMPER EXPECTATIONS AHEAD OF SECOND ROUND SPEAKER VOTE
On the first two ballots, Jordan lost support from members of the House Republican Conference. On the first vote, 20 Republicans voted against him. On the second, 22 Republicans voted against him.
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), who has been leading the push to expand McHenry’s powers temporarily, said he will try to sell this to the conference because he thinks it’s the only viable option.
“We’re gonna go in and have a conversation with the conference and educate folks on what is and isn’t in this resolution and that it actually is not unconstitutional,” Joyce said. “So this is a way to at least open up the floor and allow us to pass the bills that are necessary to get the appropriation process going.”
When asked if he would want more power, McHenry said he would let the conference decide.
“We’ll see how this conference goes,” he said. “I have not asked for additional powers. It’s my duty to get the next speaker elected. That’s my focus.”
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Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) took 15 ballots to be elected speaker in January but was removed on Oct. 3 after just nine months on the job.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.