Ever since the ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House members have been scrambling trying to figure out who will serve as a replacement. At first, Steve Scalise was intended to take the position however, he ended up withdrawing. Then Jim Jordan was determined to be the next best pick.
As the Republican Party attempts to grapple with a looming power struggle, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) and a number of other GOP members are voicing their opposition to Representative Jim Jordan’s bid for House Speaker as tensions continue to mount within the party.
In what has become an increasingly heated race for House Speaker, Jordan is vying for the position that was left vacant after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) stepped down earlier this year. To secure his nomination, he needs 218 votes from fellow Republicans – however, just five “no” votes could prove enough to derail his candidacy altogether.
Rep. Mike Rogers, who chairs the Armed Services Committee, told reporters Thursday after a closed-door House GOP meeting that he wants Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to tell Republicans what concessions they’ll have to make for Democrats to help them elect a speaker. pic.twitter.com/qRPpMSLLpP
— Forbes (@Forbes) October 13, 2023
While Jordan has received endorsements from both former President Donald Trump and Kevin McCarthy, some in the GOP have voiced doubts over whether or not he is suitable candidate for the role of speaker due to his reputation as a Freedom Caucus member.
Most notably, Rogers – who had to be physically restrained during initial speaker voting in January – has insisted that there is nothing that can be done to win his support as speaker of the house and has gone so far as to call out eight Republicans who voted against McCarthy as “traitors” who have “paralyzed” the GOP conference.
In response, Democrats House Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) was reportedly asked by Rogers if any concessions could be made in order for them work out a deal together; while Representatives Ann Wagner (R-MO), Don Bacon (R-NE), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) have also stated that they will not vote for Jordan either unless additional public floor speaking time is granted first so that constituents can have transparency into their opinions on this issue at hand.
You guys want to go 15 rounds? Fine. Let’s do it. On the floor. For the country to see. This Monday.
You want to explain to your voters why you blocked Jordan? Then bring it.. because from the calls I’m getting, they are asking me what’s going on.
I have an infant son and I…
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) October 14, 2023
Despite these setbacks and ongoing disputes among members of both parties, one thing remains clear – many are still hopeful that Jim Jordan will soon become House Speaker in accordance with protocol.
