Jim Jordan House Speaker Bid: How Many Republicans Voted Against Him?
After his first run to be US House Speaker, Jim Jordan lost and failed to secure enough votes to even have more votes than House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as several of his own Republican colleagues voted against him.
Jim Jordan only received 200 votes while Democrat Hakeem Jeffries received 212, more than the embattled MAGA Republican. The main reason was that 20 fellow Republicans voted against Jordan. While Jeffries had the most votes, he needed 217 votes to become House Speaker. This means that there is still no House Speaker to lead Congress.
CNN reported that the 20 Republicans who voted against Jordan, who has been implicated in covering up the sex scandal happening at Ohio State University, include House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger of Texas, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, and Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado. Four other Republicans in more purple districts also voted against Jordan. Many of these Republican representatives represent districts that may have voted for Biden over Trump.
Those who voted against Jordan cast their ballots for other Republicans. Seven congressmen voted for Steve Scalise, six voted for deposed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and three even voted for former New York GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin. Nobody voted for Donald Trump, as floated by Matt Gaetz.
Even though the Republicans have the majority in the House of Representatives, the continued infighting within the party is threatening the government as yet another shutdown looms. The House cannot run unless there is a Speaker of the House leading it.
Jim Jordan Says He Remains Confident in Becoming the Next US House Speaker
After losing his first vote to be the next House Speaker, Jim Jordan says he is still confident to win the House Speaker's gavel.
"We're going to keep working," he said after the vote. "We feel confident."
READ MORE: House Speaker Battle Chaos Continues as Republican Nominee Steve Scalise Drops Out
However, as the Associated Press pointed out, he would have to win over his own critics from within the party, as well as newer lawmakers who represent districts likelier to vote blue in the next election and are afraid of losing their position should they vote for somebody that many independents consider an extremist, much like Jim Jordan.
Republicans only have a narrow 221-212 lead inside the House, which means that Jordan can only afford to lose a few votes to reach the 217-majority threshold. With Democrats standing united in voting for Hakeem Jeffries, Jordan would have to work even harder to win over other Republicans.
Several Republicans Promised To Continue Not Voting for Jim Jordan as House Speaker
Winning over his opponents in his own party will be difficult for Jim Jordan, however, as many have stood defiant despite the pressure campaign being done against them. While some, such as Rep. John James of Michigan, are saying that they are open to voting for Jordan, others, such as McCarthy loyalist Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida, said he will never vote for Jordan.
"I'm not going to be part of a coup," Gimenez said.
Rep. John Rutherford of Florida is also not voting for Jordan.
"I think now we're gonna have to find a consensus candidate, I kind of like Patrick McHenry," he told CNN.
Meanwhile, Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon stated he would never vote for Jordan because he "can't get past the fact that a small group in our conference violated the rules to get rid of Kevin, and then blocked Steve."
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: The GOP Gets TORCHED Over Jordan Nomination - TYT Inestigates
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