The House Republican conference voted to no longer back House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as Speaker in a secret ballot vote.
In his wake, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R–Minn.) has become among the first to steps to run for the job next week, earning the backing of Speaker Emeritus Kevin McCarthy (R–Bakersfield)
Driving the news: The vote came after Jordan’s third failed ballot on the House floor and indicates a loss of GOP support with each successive vote.
- Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), the chairman of the Republican Study Committee, announced his own candidacy for Speaker soon after.
- Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) is reportedly still considering running for Speaker.
The big picture: Jordan was the GOP’s second nomination for Speaker after failing to nominate House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) due to resistance from Jordan supporters.
- There is currently no clear winner for Speaker, leaving the House in a state of chaos despite other urgent issues like the Israel-Hamas war and a pending shutdown deadline.
- Republican lawmakers plan to hold a candidate forum on Monday and a secret ballot election for a new Speaker nominee on Tuesday, but it’s uncertain who could win over 217 Republicans.
