October 13, 2023
He’s got some work to do.
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) on republicans in the House of Representatives nominating Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for House Speaker after Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA) failed to garner the support needed for the leadership position.
Republicans voted in conference (behind closed doors) to nominate Jordan for speaker on Friday; a vote could come on the House floor early the week of October 16th. Jordan said, “I feel really good.”
However, Congressman Steve Scalise, another high-profile republican considered less of a “firebrand” than Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, failed to get the support of the votes needed to win the leadership position.
Republicans have the majority in the House of Representatives but cannot coalesce around a new speaker after Congressman McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted by several republican critics and all democrats earlier this month.
The House Speaker matters as a key leadership position for the House of Representatives, as well as the political party the speaker represents. The speaker remains third in line for the presidency after the vice president.
Important Context from The Wall Street Journal: “The White House is poised to ask Congress for an emergency national security aid package that could fund Ukraine, Taiwan, Israel and U.S. border security through next year’s presidential election. The Senate returns Monday from a weeklong recess, but without a functioning House, no legislation can pass in Congress and make it to President Biden’s desk.”
Link to Congressman Jordan’s X Feed
by Jenna Lee,
