Jim Jordan’s Backers for House Speaker Say This Time Is Different

Some Republicans say strong support from grassroots conservatives will help new House speaker nominee Jim Jordan (R., Ohio) win over dozens of GOP critics and take the gavel this week. But opponents are standing firm, Democrats are angling for a role and the math remains unforgiving, setting the stage for another unpredictable floor vote.

Pressure is mounting on Republican lawmakers to resolve their internal fighting nearly two weeks after Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) was ousted in a historic vote. The White House is poised to ask Congress for an emergency national security aid package that could fund Ukraine, Taiwan, Israel and U.S. border security through next year’s presidential election. The Senate returns Monday from a weeklong recess, but without a functioning House, no legislation can pass in Congress and make it to President Biden’s desk. 

“We’ve got to get past this stage,” Rep. Frank Lucas (R., Okla.) said of the turmoil over the House speaker. “There’s not enough political oxygen in this place to think about other stuff.”