Hardline conservative Jim Jordan is continuing his bid for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, despite failing to secure enough votes in two previous attempts. The House will hold a third speaker vote on Friday to break the ongoing deadlock. Jordan met with fellow Republicans who have voted against him, but it seems he was unable to change any minds. The chamber has been unable to conduct legislative business since October 3, when Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker, leaving lawmakers unable to respond to important issues such as the Middle Eastern conflict and a possible government shutdown.
While some Republicans have rejected the idea of extending the authority of acting speaker Representative Patrick McHenry, House Democrats and the White House have indicated their openness to the proposal. However, a senior Republican aide has said there is a strong consensus among House Republicans that McHenry should have the authority to act. Some members believe a formal vote is not necessary to give McHenry expanded powers, as the acting speaker position inherently grants him that authority. McHenry stated that he would not accept any attempt to subvert the House rules to grant him power without a formal vote.
The prolonged leadership battle in the House has exposed divisions within the Republican Party, and the ongoing turmoil is contributing to market volatility. Jordan, a hardline conservative known for his uncompromising advocacy, has faced opposition due to differences on taxes and spending, as well as accusations of undercutting the leadership bid of No. 2 House Republican Steve Scalise. Some Republicans also object to harassing phone calls and death threats from Jordan’s supporters. Jordan’s backers argue that he would be an effective fighter for conservative policies, but his confrontational approach has led to limited success so far.
