Ohio Representative Jim Jordan lost a second ballot in Congress as the House voted for a new Speaker of the House.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries received a unanimous 212 votes from House Democrats. Jordan, who secured 200 votes during Tuesday’s ballot, lost support and only received 199 votes during Wednesday’s ballot.
Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan, who threw support behind Jordan on Monday, defected from the Speaker designee during the second ballot.
Of the 21 House Republicans defecting from Jordan, members voted for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted from the seat earlier this month, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who was originally the GOP nominee for Speaker though withdrew his candidacy after reports indicated he would be unable to secure a majority 217 votes in Congress.
Defecting members also voted for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Florida Representative Byron Donalds.
Vern Buchanan votes for Byron Donalds and Ken Buck votes for Tom Emmer.
Jim Jordan for House Speaker has officially run off the rails. pic.twitter.com/Bea7ZKlV1M
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) October 18, 2023
During the second ballot, Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly voted for former Speaker John Boehner, who served as Speaker of the House from 2011 to 2015 during the Obama administration.
Mike Kelly votes for former Speaker John Boehner.
The Republicans are not a serious party. pic.twitter.com/0FMReWfack
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) October 18, 2023
Other House Republicans who received a vote for Speaker include House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger, House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, California Rep. Mike Garcia, former New York State Rep. Lee Zeldin, and former Michigan Rep. Candice Miller.
Earlier this week, Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly filed a resolution to grant Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry expanded powers to allow Congress to move legislation while the House selects a permanent Speaker of the House. Kelly was one of the 21 House Republicans defecting from Jordan.
After former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed from the office earlier this month, North Carolina Rep. McHenry assumed Speaker Pro Tempore until a vote could be held to select a new Speaker. McCarthy is the first Speaker in U.S. history to be removed.
McHenry’s expanded Speaker powers would expire on Nov. 17 when the current continuing resolution in the House ends or upon the House selecting a permanent Speaker, per Kelly’s resolution.
“We can have a healthy debate about who should lead the House Republican Conference, and I will continue to engage in that debate with you,” Kelly wrote of his resolution. “In the meantime, we have work to do that is in our nation’s interest both at home and abroad. I look forward to joining you in these efforts.”
A third ballot is expected to be held in Congress sometime today.
