The bid for the speakership in the U.S. House remains unsettled as Republican Jim Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, faces a challenging path to the speaker’s chair in the first round of voting. Reports from RIA News, citing coverage on American cable networks, indicate that Jordan is unlikely to secure the votes needed in a single round to reach the 217-vote threshold. This reflects a broader pattern of solidifying, yet not fully unified, support within the Republican caucus amid ongoing negotiations and public statements. (AP)
At present, 13 legislators are not aligning with either Jordan or the Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, signaling a fragmented start to the process. In a scenario where a Republican candidate does not garner at least five votes from party members, the bid would fail to meet the required tally. The Democratic Party holds 212 seats and has been backing Jeffries as their preferred leader in the House. (AP)
In the days leading up to the formal declaration of candidacy, Jordan appeared near a turning point, arguing in media briefings that support among Republicans was progressively growing. His remarks suggested a momentum buildup, even as some members remained cautious. (AP)
On October 14, a report from the Associated Press described the outcome of a closed-group vote as indicating that Jordan had earned trust from enough Republican members to contend for the presidency of the House. The article underscored the importance of securing a majority within the GOP to advance in the election process. (AP)
Earlier comments from Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene indicated continuing fragmentation within the Republican caucus on the path to selecting a speaker. Greene and other conservative voices noted the hurdles and expressed concern about whether a consensus could be reached to nominate a candidate who could unify the party in the chamber. (AP)
Complicating the tableau were statements from President Biden that some proposals or interpretations of procedure could raise constitutional questions. The dialogue around constitutional adherence has been a recurring theme as lawmakers navigate the mechanics of the speaker selection and the balance of power within the House. (AP)