More Republicans Vote No On Jim Jordan For Speaker
The race for the next Speaker of the House took an unexpected turn on Tuesday as Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan failed to secure a majority of votes from his fellow House Republicans. Despite strong backing from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Majority Whip Steve Scalise, Jordan fell short as 20 House Republicans voted against him.
But the question on everyone's mind is: why? What could have caused these 20 Republicans to break rank and vote against Jordan, who is known for his conservative stance and fierce loyalty to former President Donald Trump?
Well, it turns out that the answer may lie in the interests and motivations of these 20 Republicans. According to Greg Price, the communications person for the State Freedom Caucus, the holdouts can be divided into three categories: Appropriators, Defense Hawks, and Members in Biden-won districts.
The Appropriators, who hold significant influence in Congress, are opposed to Jordan's potential Speakership because it could threaten their ability to continue deficit spending. Of the 20 Republicans who voted against Jordan, seven are members of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
If you look at the 20 Republicans that just voted against @Jim_Jordan for Speaker, they all fall into one of three categories:
Appropriators: There's an old saying in Congress that there are three parties: Democrats, Republicans, and appropriators. These people make up the…
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 17, 2023
On the other hand, the Defense Hawks fear that Jordan's conservative principles could hinder their ability to advance their agenda, particularly when it comes to military funding. This was a major factor in the votes of the four House Armed Services Committee members who voted against Jordan.
Lastly, the Members in Biden-won districts, who are facing tough re-election battles in heavily blue areas, are hesitant to support Jordan because they fear the repercussions. Some have already received backlash, including Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-Deremer, who cited "bipartisanship" in her decision to vote against Jordan.
I’m not budging. I’m a five-time commander and deployed to Middle-East four times. I’ll do what is best for country.
— Don Bacon ✈️ ️ (@DonJBacon) October 17, 2023
But it's not all about self-preservation. Some of these holdouts, such as Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Rep. John James of Michigan, have expressed concerns about Jordan's support for Trump and the issues surrounding January 6. Others, like Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas, have clashed with the Freedom Caucus in the past and view Jordan as an extension of this group.
Some of these members may also have personal financial interests at stake. Rep. Anthony D'Esposito of New York, for example, has submitted earmark requests for the latest budget and may be hesitant to support Jordan, who has vowed to limit pork-barrel spending.
But as the House gears up for another vote on Wednesday, the pressure may increase for these holdouts to reconsider their stance. Several state GOP parties, such as in Idaho, have already expressed disappointment in their representatives' votes against Jordan. And with potential primary challenges looming, these members may have to re-evaluate their priorities and put the interests of their party and constituents first.
My thoughts on today's vote for the next Speaker of the House ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/EKLqk6r9gV
— Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (@RepLCD) October 17, 2023