House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan came closer to becoming the next Speaker on Monday after key Republicans reversed course and agreed to support him.
In remarks to reporters, the Ohio Republican also announced that there would be a vote for Speaker on Tuesday, going on to express confidence that the House would select one even if it weren’t during the first ballot.
“I think the only way to do this, the way the Founders intended, is you … have to vote tomorrow,” Jordan said, per CNN. “We set it for 12 p.m. ET. I feel good about it.”
When he was asked about the vote going to a second ballot, Jordan responded, “We are going to elect a speaker tomorrow.” Jordan needs 217 votes to become Speaker.
He can only afford to lose four Republicans, but again, a growing number of GOP lawmakers, including some who as recently as the weekend said they couldn’t support him, have come around and changed course.
“@Jim_Jordan and I have had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the past two days. We agreed on the need for Congress to pass a strong NDAA, appropriations to fund our government’s vital functions, and other important legislation like the Farm Bill,” Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) began in a post to the X platform.
“As a result, I have decided to support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House on the floor,” he continued. “Since I was first elected to the House, I have always been a team player and supported what the majority of the Republican Conference agrees to. Together, our Republican majority will be stronger to fight Joe Biden’s reckless agenda for America.”
.@Jim_Jordan and I have had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the past two days. We agreed on the need for Congress to pass a strong NDAA, appropriations to fund our government's vital functions, and other important legislation like the Farm Bill. (1/3)
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) October 16, 2023
“Jim Jordan and I spoke at length again this morning, and he has allayed my concerns about keeping the government open with conservative funding, the need for strong border security, our need for consistent international support in times of war and unrest, as well as the need for stronger protections against the scourge of human trafficking and child exploitation,” Rep. Ann Wagner, a Missouri Republican, said in a statement, per CNN. “Jim Jordan is our conference nominee, and I will support his nomination for Speaker on the House floor.”
