Resistance to Jim Jordan Increases as House Speakership Remains Uncertain
October 18, 2023 | by b1og.net
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Resistance to Jim Jordan Increases as House Speakership Remains Uncertain
Resistance to Jim Jordan’s bid for the US House of Representatives Speakership is intensifying as the future of the position remains uncertain. In the first round of voting, Jordan secured only 200 votes, with 20 Republicans voting against him. With the House lacking a leader since Kevin McCarthy’s ousting two weeks ago, the inability to pass bills and approve emergency aid requests has caused further complications. Despite the setback, Jordan expressed confidence in securing the position and vowed to continue his efforts. A second vote is now scheduled for Wednesday morning.
Overview
The race for the Speakership of the House of Representatives has hit a roadblock as there is significant resistance to the candidacy of Jim Jordan. In the first vote, Jordan fell short of the necessary 217 votes needed to secure the position, with 20 Republicans voting against him. This opposition from his own party has highlighted the challenges he faces in his bid for Speaker. Despite this setback, Jordan remains confident and vows to continue his efforts. A second vote is scheduled for Wednesday.
Resistance to Jim Jordan in House Speakership Race
Jordan loses first vote for Speaker
Jim Jordan, a Republican congressman from Ohio and ally of former President Donald Trump, failed to secure the necessary votes in the first vote for Speaker of the House. Despite intense lobbying, 20 Republicans voted against Jordan, preventing him from reaching the required 217 votes. This loss highlights the challenges he faces in his bid for the Speakership.
Opposition from his own party
One of the significant obstacles for Jordan’s candidacy is the opposition from members of his own party. Feuds with fellow Republicans and his affiliation with the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus have created divisions within the party. This opposition was evident in the first vote, where some Republicans voted for Kevin McCarthy or other candidates instead of Jordan.
Jordan’s need for 217 votes
In order to secure the Speakership, Jordan needs to secure 217 votes, a majority of the members in the House of Representatives. The first vote revealed that he did not have enough support within his own party to reach this threshold. This creates a challenge for Jordan as he seeks to gather the necessary votes.
Democratic nominee receives more votes
In a surprising turn of events, the Democratic nominee for Speaker, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, received more votes than Jordan in the first round of voting. While Democrats are the minority party in the House, Jeffries’ higher vote count than Jordan emphasizes the lack of support for Jordan even among his Republican colleagues.
Jordan remains confident and vows to keep working
Despite the setback of losing the first vote, Jim Jordan remains confident and determined to continue his efforts to become Speaker. He expressed optimism about the progress he is making and stated his commitment to keep working towards his goal.
Second vote planned for Wednesday
A second vote for Speaker is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. This provides Jordan with another opportunity to secure the necessary votes. However, given the opposition he faced in the first vote, it remains to be seen if he will be able to rally enough support in the second round of voting.
Reasons for Resistance to Jim Jordan
Feuds with members of his own party
One of the reasons for the resistance to Jim Jordan’s candidacy is his history of feuding with members of his own party. As a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group known for its conservative stances, Jordan has clashed with more moderate Republicans. These feuds have created divisions within the party and have likely contributed to the opposition he faces in his bid for Speaker.
Founding member of the House Freedom Caucus
Jim Jordan’s affiliation with the House Freedom Caucus has also contributed to the resistance against him. The Caucus has been criticized for its uncompromising conservative positions, which some Republicans view as hindering the party’s ability to achieve its goals. Jordan’s association with this group has made him a target for those who disagree with its tactics and ideology.
Opposition to benefits for 9/11 survivors
Another factor contributing to the resistance against Jordan is his opposition to benefits for survivors of the 9/11 attacks. Several New York Republicans who voted against Jordan cited this as one of the reasons for their opposition. This issue has resonated deeply with many Americans, making it a contentious point of contention for Jordan’s candidacy.
Republican dissatisfaction with Jordan’s stance on Trump’s election loss
Jordan’s stance on former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss has also created tension within the Republican Party. Some Republicans who voted against Jordan claim that he has not acknowledged Trump’s loss and continues to perpetuate false claims about election fraud. This position has led to dissatisfaction among some members of his own party.
Resistance from anti-Jordan holdouts
Some Republicans who voted against Jordan did so because they have concerns about his candidacy and believe there are better candidates for Speaker. These anti-Jordan holdouts may have their own preferred candidates and are unwilling to support Jordan due to policy disagreements or other factors. Their resistance adds to the challenges Jordan faces in his bid for the Speakership.
Reactions to Resistance
Democrats depict Jordan as an extremist
Democrats have seized on the resistance to Jordan and depicted him as an extremist. They have used his association with the House Freedom Caucus and his controversial positions to paint him as out of touch with mainstream values. By labeling Jordan as an extremist, Democrats aim to discredit his candidacy and appeal to moderate voters who may be hesitant to support him.
Republican dysfunction
The resistance to Jordan’s candidacy has highlighted the dysfunction within the Republican Party. The divisions between more moderate and conservative factions have deepened, making it difficult for the party to unite behind a single candidate for Speaker. This dysfunction undermines the party’s ability to effectively govern and pass legislation.
Pelosi and Jeffries comment on Jordan’s lack of support
Nancy Pelosi, a two-time former Speaker of the House, commented on Jim Jordan’s lack of support within his own party. She stated that Republicans were “taking lessons on mathematics and how to count” and suggested that Jordan had underestimated the resistance to his candidacy. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic nominee for Speaker, offered to work with Republicans to find a Speaker that could satisfy both parties, indicating a potential willingness for bipartisan cooperation.
Possibility for bipartisan cooperation on selecting a Speaker
The resistance to Jim Jordan’s candidacy has opened up the possibility for bipartisan cooperation in selecting a Speaker. With Jordan facing significant opposition from within his own party, Democrats may seek to capitalize on this division and work with Republicans to find a consensus candidate. This could lead to a more collaborative approach to governing and addressing pressing issues.
Next potential Speaker candidate
If support for Jim Jordan collapses, the next potential candidate for Speaker is Minnesota’s Tom Emmer. Emmer is the third highest-ranking Republican in the House and could be seen as a more moderate alternative to Jordan. With the resistance to Jordan’s candidacy, Emmer may emerge as a frontrunner for the Speakership.
Historical Context
Kevin McCarthy’s previous victory for Speaker
The previous election for Speaker saw Kevin McCarthy secure the position after 15 rounds of voting over four days. McCarthy faced significant challenges in rallying enough support from his own party. The drawn-out process and the divisions within the party highlighted the difficulties faced in selecting a Speaker.
Republican hardliners’ resistance to funding for Ukraine war
In recent history, Republican hardliners, including Jim Jordan himself, have shown resistance to funding for the Ukraine war. This opposition to providing financial support to Ukraine created tensions within the Republican Party and contributed to the vote that led to McCarthy’s ouster as Speaker. These divisions and disagreements have continued to influence the dynamics of the Speakership race.
Importance of the speakership and its relation to the presidency
The Speaker of the House holds a pivotal position in the United States government. As the leader of the House of Representatives, the Speaker shapes legislative priorities and plays a crucial role in passing bills and approving White House requests. The speakership is second-in-line to the presidency after the vice-president, making it a position of considerable power and influence. The selection of the Speaker has significant implications for the functioning of the House and its ability to effectively govern.
Conclusion
The race for the Speakership of the House of Representatives has encountered significant resistance to the candidacy of Jim Jordan. Opposition from his own party, feuds with fellow Republicans, and policy disagreements have created challenges for Jordan in his bid for Speaker. Despite this, Jordan remains confident and vows to continue his efforts. The second vote scheduled for Wednesday will determine whether he can gather enough support to secure the position. The resistance to Jordan’s candidacy has highlighted the divisions within the Republican Party and opened up the possibility for bipartisan cooperation in selecting a Speaker. The outcome of the Speakership race will have implications for the functioning of the House and the ability to pass important legislation.
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