Jim Jordan has picked up the support of all nine of Georgia’s Republican congressmembers as his speakership bid enters a critical new phase and Congress officially reaches two weeks without a Speaker.
It’s part of a larger push by Jordan and his allies to turn up the heat on potential holdouts ahead of a vote on the House floor, which is expected at noon Tuesday.
Jordan is making his second run for the top job on Capitol Hill after placing second to Majority Leader Steve Scalise in last week’s initial race to succeed ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Scalise withdrew from the race just one day after being nominated due to a lack of support.
Now the question is whether the Ohio Republican can overcome the same math hurdles that plagued McCarthy and Scalise. Jordan has spent several days huddling with dozens of holdouts and has won over several Scalise allies, moving the far-right Congressman closer and closer to the gavel.
But as of Tuesday morning, he remains below the 217 votes needed to win on the House floor. He can only afford to lose four Republican votes.
A handful of GOP lawmakers say they will continue to support McCarthy, who took himself out of the running after he was ousted. “I think that what happened to him was a travesty, and I just don't wish to be part of it," one Republican said of McCarthy, referring to the former Speaker’s historic ousting by a small group of far-right rebels.
Another holdout said that he is still not ready to support Jordan even after meeting with him privately Monday night.
Georgia Republicans, meanwhile, say that it’s time to move on. “Our nation deserves a conservative Speaker of the House who can fight, unite, and lead,” Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Athens) said of Jordan. “It’s time for all House Republicans to support Speaker-Designate Jordan so we can get back to work for the American People.” Rep. Barry Loudermilk, a Republican from Cassville, said that he is encouraging his colleagues to get behind Jordan.