Mike Rogers will not back Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House, would work with Democrats

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) won the Republicans’ second secret-ballot speaker contest, defeating Rep. Austin Scott (R-Georgia) 124-81.

However, according to a report from NBC News, he needs at least 217 votes to secure the gavel and one member of Alabama’s Congressional delegation appears to be standing in the way.

The Republicans have a thin majority in the House, so five GOP detractors can block Jordan in a House vote.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) said, “there was nothing that Jordan could do to get his support as Speaker of the House,” as reported in the Anniston Star.

Rogers left a closed-door caucus session Friday and said Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (R-NY) should state concessions needed to help the GOP.

“They put us in this ditch along with eight traitors,” Rogers told Capitol Hill reporters. “We’re still the majority party, we’re willing to work with them but they gotta tell us what they need.”

Rogers has voiced his anger at the eight Republicans who helped oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, calling them “traitors” who “paralyzed” the House, according to a report.

A Jordan supporter expressed surprise more people didn’t back him.

“Without a roll call, it makes it very difficult, but Jim is going to work through the weekend,” the supporter said.

Other Republicans, including Reps. Ann Wagner of Missouri, Don Bacon of Nebraska, and Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., have said they will not vote for Jordan, according to NBC News.

Majority leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) beat Jordan for the nomination Wednesday but dropped out for not getting enough support.

Republicans will assess their progress on Monday night before heading to the floor Tuesday.