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According to a new preliminary report from the Washington Examiner, Rep. Jim Jordan may not hold a third ballot for the speakership in the House of Representatives, indicating that Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., could be poised to stay in that position until January.
However, several America First Republicans in Congress have pushed back on this possibility, determined to elect a final House Speaker despite the upward battle on the House floor.
RSBN previously reported that Jordan was poised to head to a third vote today, after losing the first two ballots in the House this week. Per the Washington Examiner’s report, it is possible that Jordan will remain the speaker designate until early 2024. This does not mean that he cannot win the speakership at a later time.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., wrote on X on Thursday, “We need to stay here and elect a speaker. A temp speaker is not the solution.”
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, explained on social media. “There is no path for a GOP-only empowerment of a Speaker Pro-Tem…It is, in any event, a fool’s errand – breaking with tradition & setting constitutionally questionable precedent to empower someone…”
Florida Rep. Byron Donalds (R) noted his agreement on X, writing, “I 1000% agree. Empowering a Speaker Pro-Tem is a win for Joe Biden, Hakeem Jeffries, & the inept politicians that gave us Bidenomics, open borders, 8% mortgage rates, & everything wrong in America.”
He added that “change is uncomfortable, but the alternative is the status quo, which I wasn’t elected to participate in.”
Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., also posited on X that a temporary speakership was “the equivalent of a CR.” He explained, “Both kick the can down the road without any real solutions.”
It is worth noting that the most recent Speaker of the House, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., wasn’t elected until the 15th ballot in January of this year.
On Thursday afternoon, in the wake of harsh criticism from House Republicans opposed to the idea of extending the Speaker Pro Tempore’s authority, Rep. Luna wrote on X, “Resolution for temp speaker is dead! We’re going to the floor! @Jim_Jordan for speaker!”
It is unclear when the next Speaker vote will take place.
