Republican Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan has called off the third speaker vote for now and plans to back Patrick McHenry of North Carolina as the temporary speaker of the House of Representatives, the Daily Signal has learned.
A source familiar with the congressman’s plans told The Daily Signal that Jordan will not be dropping out, that he “will continue to run and try to shore up votes until January,” and that he “remains speaker designee.”
Regarding a third ballot, the source added: “That is honest to god tbd. Gotta see how this conference goes. Resolution may not have votes.”
The House has twice voted now on Jordan for speaker. Both votes failed.
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts slammed the news in a Thursday tweet, saying, “The American people did not send conservatives to the House to empower Democrats through coalition government. The plan to expand McHenry’s powers furthers the interests of the Swamp at the expense of everyday Americans.” (The Daily Signal is Heritage’s news outlet.)
Multiple Republican members of Congress who voted for Jordan to become speaker on Tuesday chose to vote for other candidates on Wednesday: 212 Democrats voted for Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem, 199 Republicans voted for Jordan, seven voted for Steve Scalise of Louisiana, and five voted for former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.
Four Republicans withdrew their support from Jordan on Wednesday: Vern Buchanan of Florida, Drew Ferguson of Georgia, Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, and Pete Stauber of Minnesota.
At least two Republicans flipped in Jordan’s favor on Wednesday: Doug LaMalfa of California, who voted for McCarthy on Tuesday, and Victoria Spartz of Indiana, who voted for Thomas Massie of Kentucky on Tuesday. Gus Bilirakis of Florida had been absent Tuesday but voted for Jordan Wednesday.
On Tuesday, 20 Republicans voted for a candidate other than Jordan. He received 200 votes that day, while Jeffries received 212 votes, and McCarthy received six votes.
Ahead of the first vote, Jordan had seen a flurry of support from House conservatives who had formerly said they would not back him: Mike Rogers of Alabama, Ann Wagner of Missouri, Ken Calvert of California, and Buchanan all announced support for Jordan this week.
This is a breaking news story, please check back for updates.
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