"This will get worse": Jordan loses first speaker vote — and even more Republicans plan to defect

“I personally know 5 will change their votes from yes to no on second round," one Republican told Politico

By Tatyana Tandanpolie

Staff Writer

Published October 17, 2023 2:37PM (EDT)

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) listens as the lawmakers cast their votes as the House of Representatives holds an election for a new Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on October 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) listens as the lawmakers cast their votes as the House of Representatives holds an election for a new Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on October 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

With only 200 votes out of the 217 needed to secure a victory, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, lost his first attempt to be elected speaker of the House of Representatives Tuesday in an electoral battle defined by the same GOP in-fighting that led to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's ouster two weeks earlier. The failure came despite a right-wing pressure campaign to garner the support of other Republicans who opposed him, The New York Times reports.

Twenty Republicans, including powerful members of the House like Appropriations Committee Chairman Kay Granger, R-Texas, and several GOP representatives from politically competitive districts, instead cast their vote for others. Rep. Steve Scalise, La., who the party initially nominated for the role last week, was the number two pick among conservative members of Congress, winning seven total votes, while McCarthy won six. Democrats remained united and steadfast in favor of their nominee, New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who earned all 212 of the party's votes. 

After the vote, Republicans called a recess to regroup and eke out a path forward. Jordan, a co-founder of the far-right House Freedom Caucus and loyal ally of former President Donald Trump, indicated before the vote that he was willing to force multiple rounds: “Whatever it takes to get a speaker today.” Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., told the Times he expects another vote to elect a speaker on Tuesday. The timing of a second round, however, depends on how long it takes Jordan to connect with his opposition, and its success may be less likely than before. “I personally know 5 will change their votes from yes to no on second round. That’s what they told me. This will get worse,” one House member told Politico reporter Olivia Beavers.