Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Mike Carey of Ohio and Jim Banks of Indiana, who is running for the Senate. But some conservatives have already lined up behind Jordan, including Reps. Given the GOP's narrow majority, opposition to his bid from five Republicans during the formal vote on the House floor could sink Jordan's candidacy. It's unclear whether Jordan can garner the level of support needed from the Republican conference to claim the gavel, especially from the House's moderate wing. Jordan emerged as a possible alternative candidate for speaker at the start of the new Congress in January, garnering a handful of votes from conservative lawmakers who opposed McCarthy during more than a dozen rounds of voting. He spoke in support of McCarthy's candidacy for speaker in January and defended the embattled California Republican on Tuesday before the vote to remove him. Though Jordan and fellow conservatives often sparred with Boehner, Jordan became an ally of McCarthy's. Democrats ended up winning control of the House after the 2018 midterm elections, and McCarthy was elected minority leader by the GOP conference. Former House Speaker John Boehner once called him a "legislative terrorist." He mounted a bid for House speaker in 2018 after then-Speaker Paul Ryan said he wouldn't run for another term, but was not expected to garner support from a majority of Republicans. Through his position as chair of the Judiciary panel, he is one of the Republicans leading the House's impeachment inquiry into President Biden, which McCarthy announced last month.Ī founding member and leader of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative lawmakers, Jordan has in the past served as a thorn in the side of GOP leadership. The Ohio Republican, who has served in Congress since 2007, currently leads the Judiciary Committee and its Weaponization of the Federal Government Select Subcommittee, which was created after Republicans took control of the House in January. Kevin Hern, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, could also jump into the speaker's race. Asked if he would run Tuesday, Jordan told reporters, "that's a decision for the conference." House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and Rep. Jordan, known as a conservative firebrand, indicated that he would be open to seeking the speaker's gavel shortly after McCarthy told House Republicans he would not try to regain his position atop the lower chamber. Both would do great jobs." Who is Jim Jordan? Now, more than ever, we must mend the deep wounds that exist within our Conference and focus on our objectives so we can get back to work for the millions of people who are counting on us."Īsked about Scalise and Jordan running for his old post, McCarthy responded, "They're two good friends. "I know the coming weeks ahead will be some of the most arduous times we will face together, but this Conference is worth fighting for - we cannot lose sight of our shared mission. "As I face new challenges, I feel even more strongly about that today," he wrote in a letter announcing his bid for speaker. Scalise, who has climbed the ranks of House GOP leadership throughout his tenure in Congress, said in his own pitch to his GOP colleagues that he has a "proven track record" of building consensus among the various factions of the party. "The Republican majority must continue to address the issues that matter to the American people," he wrote. Jordan touted his legislative work on immigration and conducting oversight of the Biden administration, as well as his record of calling for cuts to government spending throughout his legislative career. Jim Jordan of Ohio speaks to members of the media at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Oct. I respectfully ask for your support for Speaker of the House of Representatives." Rep. But no matter what we do, we must do it together as a conference. We can focus on the changes that improve the country and unite us in offering real solutions. "The problems we face are challenging, but they are not insurmountable. Now is the time for our Republican conference to come together to keep our promises to Americans," Jordan wrote. "We are at a critical crossroad in our nation's history. He wrote to his GOP colleagues in a letter Wednesday, in which he praised the work House Republicans have done so far this Congress but said more has to be done.
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