Jordan fails 2nd House vote

UPDATE 2: 

On Oct. 18, the US House remains frozen after lawmakers failed a second vote to elect a new speaker. 

Republicans nominated Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for the speakership on Tuesday, but he failed to garner the near-unanimous support – 217 votes – he needed to become speaker. And the scene played out again Wednesday, as Jordan failed a second floor vote with holdouts standing their ground. 

Twenty-two GOP lawmakers voted against Jordan’s speakership on Wednesday, an increase from 20 on Tuesday. 

Though Jordan continues to face stiff opposition, the Ohio Republican intends to go through a third speaker ballot, slated for Thursday at noon. (The AP 10/18/23) Jim Jordan loses second speaker vote. Some want Patrick McHenry: Recap (clarionledger.com)

Rep. Jim Jordan failed to win a first vote on Tuesday to serve as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, but more votes were expected to follow that could wear down his opponents. Republican Jim Jordan loses first vote for US House speaker (yahoo.com)

The House has been without a Speaker for nearly two weeks. Rep. Patrick McHenry has been serving as Acting Speaker, but his ability to organize the House is limited by the chamber’s rules.

Jordan will need to reach the 217-vote threshold in the 433-member House. Republicans hold a 221 to 212 majority, with two vacancies. This means he can only lose four GOP votes. 

House Democrats will nominate conference leader, Rep. Hakeen Jeffries NY), just as they did in January. 

It's unlikely Jordan will win the Speaker post in the first round of voting. Some GOP members have voiced frustration over the past two weeks. 

It is to be expected some will let their exasperation show by nominating and voting for a nominee other than Jordan, at least initially. 

Mississippi Rep. Mike Ezell said Oct. 16 that he would be voting for Jordan. 

Mississippi Rep. Michael Guest told SuperTalk Radio that he, too, would be supporting Jordan. Rep. Trent Kelly has not publicly stated his support of Jordan, but is likely. 

Mississippi’s lone Democrat, Rep. Bennie Thompson, is expected to again support his conference’s leader, Jeffries, for Speaker over the Republican nominee. ((Magnolia Tribune 10/17/23) House Republicans to bring Speaker vote to the floor Tuesday - Magnolia Tribune