Jim Jordan Rejected as House Speaker for Second Time in 24 Hours

Rep. Jim Jordan failed to be elected speaker Wednesday for the second straight day, even losing a few votes from Republicans who supported him the day before.

The Ohio Republican could continue his candidacy and force additional ballots, but it appears exceedingly unlikely he can get the 217 votes needed to be elected speaker. Still, Jordan vowed to keep fighting.

Jordan told reporters after the vote he plans to keep talking to holdouts and working on upping his vote count.

"We don't know when we're going to have the next vote, but we want to continue our conversations with our colleagues," he said.

Jordan got 199 votes on the House floor, while the Democrats' candidate, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, garnered 212 votes. Another 22 Republicans voted for other candidates who were not nominated by either party.

The House has been without a permanent speaker now for more than two weeks, after eight Republicans and all Democrats voted to remove Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the post. The chamber has not been able to pass legislation as a Nov. 17 government funding deadline looms and U.S. allies Israel and Ukraine are engaged in war and asking for aid.

Some Jordan opponents have already called for Republicans to consider a new candidate, vowing to block the founder of the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus from ever getting the gavel. And now there is growing sentiment that Rep. Patrick McHenry, who is serving in a figurehead role as speaker pro tempore, be given more power to run the House so legislative business can resume.

Ahead of the vote Jordan declined to say whether he would drop out if he lost again but framed the choice between him and empowering McHenry as one of party loyalty.

"I think we've got to decide today if we're going to have a Republican speaker ... or is this body going to adopt this resolution with the speaker pro tem," Jordan told reporters Wednesday morning. "And I think both questions should be called. Let's get an answer."

Jordan backer Rep. Chip Roy called any attempts to prop up a coalition government a "non-starter" that could make things even worse in the bitterly divided House.

"If any Republicans want to go cut a deal Democrats, that is on them. They will be making a choice. And there will be consequences to that choice," the Texas Republican said in a not-very-veiled threat to consensus-seeking colleagues.

Jordan won over two Republicans Wednesday who opposed him in the first vote Tuesday, but lost four of his initial supporters.

“When you consider that the detractors were predicting eight to ten, eight to 12 additional no votes, and that didn’t materialize, that’s a victory for Jim,” Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., told The Messenger.

One of those detractors, Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska predicted if Jordan goes for a third ballot he will lose another 10 votes.

"We're going to get a speaker that represents us all," the moderate Republican said, vowing to never support Jordan.

Bacon floated alternatives he said would make great speakers, including GOP Reps. McHenry of North Carolina, Tom Cole and Kevin Hern of Oklahoma and Mark Green of Tennessee.

"We have great candidates that can win," he said. "This one had a lot of baggage."

Jordan opponents generally are angry about McCarthy's ouster, as well as Jordan allies blocking House Majority Steve Scalise, R-La., from getting the votes to be elected speaker after he duly defeated Jordan for the party's nomination last week. Scalise dropped out, clearing the way for Jordan to be nominated and get his turn.

Throughout the past week Jordan allies in Congress and outside conservative activists have tried to pressure Republicans into supporting Jordan. His opponents have slammed those efforts as "intimidation tactics" that have backfired.

"There are people here who are honorable and they're dignified and they will not be threatened," Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., told reporters. "And that just makes it worse."

In addition to anger about the process, Jordan opponents have cited flaws in his government funding plan and raised parochial concerns he had yet to address.

The following are the 22 Republicans who voted against Jordan on Wednesday and who they supported for speaker instead. Bolded names are ones who supported Jordan on Tuesday but voted against him Wednesday.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, looks on as the House of Representatives meets to elect a new Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on October 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Vern Buchanan of Florida — Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.

Ken Buck of Colorado — House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.

Anthony D'Esposito of New York — former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y.

Jake Ellzey of Texas — Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif.

Andrew Garabino of New York — Zeldin

John James of Michigan — former Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich.

Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania — former Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio

Nick LaLota of New York — Zeldin

Mike Lawler of New York — McCarthy

Pete Stauber of Minnesota — Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark.