The party remains divided.
If not GOP Rep. Jim Jordan as House speaker, then who? That’s the question Republicans are trying to answer right now after the Ohio congressman dropped out of the race on Friday.
Despite initially winning the party’s nomination for the coveted role, Jordan lost three rounds of voting for the speakership. This included a secret, internal ballot, with 86 Republicans backing him and 112 saying they preferred someone else.
As Republicans start the process all over again, here’s what we know so far.
Where does the speakership stand now?
House Republicans are expected to return to Washington on Monday to hold a third speaker candidates forum in the evening. Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry says a new internal speaker vote is set for 9 a.m. ET Tuesday, and the House could hold a floor vote the same day.
“It’s my goal to be talking to you at this time next Friday as chairman of the Financial Services Committee,” McHenry quipped to reporters, referring to his current role leading that panel.
What happens now that Jim Jordan dropped out?
After being forced to drop out due to lack of support, Jordan called on Republicans to come together and rally behind a candidate. “Let’s figure out who that individual is, get behind him, and get to work for the American people,” he said.
There are already several contenders vying for the speakership. According to The New York Times, at least 10 Republicans have announced that they are either running or considering running for the position. This includes the No. 3 Republican in the House, Majority Whip Tom Emmer. Though Emmer is considered to be among the front-runners, lesser-known candidates like Georgia Rep. Austin Scott are putting their hats back in the ring. (Scott previously challenged Jordan for the role.)
Texas Rep. Pete Sessions, Michigan Rep. Jack Bergman, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern, and GOP Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson have also officially launched bids as well.
Meanwhile, others are just flirting with the idea for now. “I come from the business world, and I plan to bring if I run, a business perspective to things and gain consensus,” Pennsylvania Rep. Dan Meuser said.
What does this mean for the House?
The prolonged stalemate has paralyzed the House — and it couldn’t come at a worse time, considering the dramatic warfare in Israel and Gaza. Now, U.S. aid to Israel may be delayed due to the lack of leadership.
There’s also the looming deadline to keep the government open. Congress must pass a spending bill by Nov. 17 to avoid another potential shutdown but it remains unclear at this point if they will.
“This is probably one of the most embarrassing things I’ve seen,” GOP Rep. Michael McCaul told “This Week” on ABC News. “Because if we don’t have a Speaker of the House, we can’t govern. And every day goes by, we’re essentially shut down as a government.”
