In a turn of events, Representative Jim Jordan has failed to win the House Speakership on the first ballot. Despite earning 200 votes, 20 of his fellow Republicans voted against him, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries won 212 votes.
Jordan, or any other GOP speaker candidate, can now afford to lose only three Republican votes. The House is currently in recess, and Jordan is meeting with members to gain support.
Another speaker vote series is expected later, and Jordan is prepared to go through, he says, as many ballots as necessary to secure victory. Don’t forget, it took 15 tries for former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy to get elected.
This deadlock in the House comes at a critical time as Congress faces pressure on issues like the government funding deadline and international crises. Stay tuned for a further update on the House Speaker election.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
