Oct. 20 (UPI) — Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said Friday morning that the plan for the weekend is to get a speaker elected as soon as possible as a third vote was underway.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., whose ousting prompted the speaker vacancy, nominated Jordan for the position on Friday morning.
Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., elected House Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who has received the unanimous support of Democrats in the previous vote.
Jordan has failed in two ballots for speaker so far. Wednesday’s vote left him with 199 votes, far short of the 217 votes needed to become speaker.
A meeting on noon Thursday where lawmakers were expected to vote was quickly recessed after Jordan at the time said he would not seek the speaker role but later changed his mind.
Asked by reporters if he had support pledges from any of the members who voted against him, Jordan said he spoke with those members, but failed to name a single member pledging to switch their vote to him.
“We had a good conversation. We’ll continue to do that. But as I point out the fastest way to get to work for the American people is to elect a speaker so the House can be open and we can get things done,” Jordan said.
Jordan said the House needs to elect a speaker and needs to get to work “for the American people” to help Israel and fund the government.
Asked about the $100 billion foreign aid package from President Biden intends to send to Congress to support Ukraine and Israel, Jordan said nothing about Ukraine but indicated support for Israel.
“We certainly need to help Israel. I’ve got to see the package, But again, we can’t do that. The House isn’t open. All the more reason why we need to get the House open as soon as possible.”
Some Republicans have suggested elevating the authority of speaker pro tempore REp. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., to allow the House to resume debating resolutions, which Jordan has also supported.
