‘Outrageous’: Republicans rip Mike Rogers for floating Speaker deal with Democrats

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., is facing intense backlash from his own party this weekend after saying he would not back Rep. Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House, and opened the door to working with Democrats to choosing an alternate candidate.

While other Republicans also said they would not back Jordan, Rogers has been more outspoken in his opposition to Jordan and his overtures to Democrats on making a deal.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) told reporters Friday that there was nothing that Jordan could do to earn his support. And, in a closed-door meeting, he reportedly asked Democrats what the two parties could do to make a deal that a majority of representatives could be happy with.

“It’s outrageous that Jim Jordan has been nominated by the party, has the support of [Kevin] McCarthy and [Patrick] McHenry, and yet Mike Rogers and a few House Republicans would rather work with Democrats,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted Saturday. “If you’re a House Republican, please vote for Jim Jordan—not Hakeem Jeffries.”

It’s outrageous that Jim Jordan has been nominated by the party, has the support of McCarthy and McHenry, and yet Mike Rogers and a few House Republicans would rather work with Democrats. If you’re a House Republican, please vote for Jim Jordan—not Hakeem Jeffries. https://t.co/n7DQFCTNGa — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) October 14, 2023

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., posted on Facebook that Rogers’ constituents would be unhappy with the Congressman’s comments.

“Rep. Mike Rogers’s ruby red district in Alabama is right next to mine,” Greene posted. “His voters will not be happy if he makes a deal with Democrats to elect a Speaker in order to block Jim Jordan.

“Stick with Republicans Mike. Remember your district.”

Other social media messages urged Rogers’ constituents to call his office to express their displeasure.

Jordan won a closed-door vote by Republicans in the House Friday, as the party struggles to find a candidate to replace former speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Cali., who was removed from the speaker’s office earlier this month.

Rogers is seen as a strong McCarthy ally, and has called Matt Gaetz and the other seven Republicans who voted with Democrats to oust McCarthy, “traitors” who “paralyzed” the House, according to a report.

Three of Alabama’s other Republican congressmen -- Reps. Gary Palmer, Barry Moore and Jerry Carl -- have issued statements saying they will back Jordan.

Reps. Robert Aderholt and Dale Strong have not addressed Jordan’s speaker bid or Rogers’ comments this weekend.

Former Rep. Mo Brooks took to social media to say that he hopes Rogers was “misquoted” in his earlier comments.

“...shocks me Mike Rogers SAYS he prefers to work with #Socialist #Democrats to elect #HouseSpeaker than work with America First Republicans,” Brooks posted Saturday. “Hopefully Rogers misquoted.”

.@RepMikeRogersAL says he will NEVER vote #DonaldTrump-endorsed #JimJordanforSpeaker

Is shocks me Mike Rogers SAYS he prefers to work with #Socialist #Democrats to elect #HouseSpeaker than work with America First Republicans

Hopefully Rogers misquotedhttps://t.co/W3orh1gVDB — Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) October 14, 2023

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

Republicans can only spare a few votes if they want their pick to make it through the gauntlet of the full House.

Majority leader Steve Scalise, R-La., beat Jordan for the nomination Wednesday but dropped out after not getting enough support. That prompted Friday’s vote, in which Jordan emerged as the Republicans’ choice.

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