(ConservativeJournal.org) – Republican Representative Jim Jordan faced another setback on Wednesday, October 18, as he failed in his bid to secure the position of House speaker. Jordan, a staunch ally of Donald Trump, saw his support erode further as more GOP colleagues refused to back him for the role.
The path forward was uncertain, with a bipartisan group of lawmakers discussing a plan to grant the interim speaker-pro-tempore, Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, increased authority to reopen the House and conduct routine business temporarily.
Jordan encountered opposition from more than the 20 Republican detractors who had voted against him in the first round a day earlier. Many of them resented the hard-line tactics employed to secure support and considered Jordan, an Ohio congressman, too extreme for the influential role of House speaker, which is second in line to the presidency. The vote for House speaker, once a routine congressional formality, had devolved into another slogging fight for the position.
On the other hand, Democratic Representative Pete Aguilar maintained that Jeffries was the best choice to move the country forward as he consistently garnered more votes.
As the House convened, it was evident that frustrated GOP lawmakers were exploring alternative options. During the roll call, several new detractors emerged, and Jordan seemed unable to gain additional support beyond one lawmaker who had been absent the previous day. His quest to become House speaker appeared to be all but lost.
Jordan was first elected in 2006. He has some legislative achievements to his name but questions have previously been raised about his past. Some years ago, former wrestlers from his time as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University raised allegations, accusing him of being aware of inappropriate actions by an Ohio doctor. Jordan has however consistently denied knowledge of any abuse that was going on during this time.
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