Jim Jordan critics hope to torpedo speaker bid in second vote – LIVE

The next vote on the speakership bid of Rep Jim Jordan will be held on Wednesday (18 October) at 11am ET, the GOP nominee announced on Tuesday.

This comes after 20 Republicans voted against Mr Jordan in a first ballot that went worse than expected for the Ohioan. He can only afford to lose four votes.

Critics of Mr Jordan are pushing to torpedo his bid for the gavel once and for all. A number of those who voted for other candidates began to push for an immediate second vote while Mr Jordan huddled with allies on Tuesday afternoon.

“We need to bring this to the floor ASAP and get to the work of the American people,” Rep Steve Womack of Arkansas wrote on X.

The first vote comes as the House marks two weeks since Rep Matt Gaetz filed a motion to vacate, which led to seven other Republicans and every Democratic representative present to depose Mr McCarthy.

Key Points

• Why was the speaker of the House removed?

• Wrestling abuse claims, Jan 6 and abortion: Jim Jordan’s controversies plaguing his House speaker bid

• Jim Jordan loses first vote to become House speaker as GOP chaos deepens

• Twenty Republicans vote against Jordan

• Jim Jordan pushes second vote to next day after GOP rebellion

Jordan will not hold third speaker vote

16:11 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Jim Jordan will not hold a third vote on his speakership bid, instead backing Rep Patrick McHenry to serve as interim speaker until January.

Rightwing Republican says increasing defections will drive Jordan decision

16:00 , Gustaf Kilander

The chair of the rightwing group the Republican Study Committee, Rep Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, told the press that he supports Rep Jim Jordan going for a third ballot despite dropping support.

“He’s a fighter, these are tough times, we need somebody who’s going to be resolved in what he’s trying to do,” Mr Hern said. “Clearly he’s out working and that’s what you’ve got to do.”

But Mr Hern added that if the number of no votes “continues to grow to 22, 24, 30, 35, people start wearing down … I think that will be what drives the decision he needs to make”.

‘I’ve got to vote for Jordan, but thank god you’re doing what you’re doing'

15:30 , Gustaf Kilander

A House Republican who supported Rep Jim Jordan on the first two ballots told Axios that they were due to join those voting against him.

Rep Don Bacon opposed Mr Jordan from the beginning. Speaking of colleagues who may flip on a possible third vote, he said: “I think they never wanted to be there to begin with but promised Jim they were going to give him a vote or two.”

Mr Bacon revealed that he has fellow members approaching him to say “I’ve got to vote for Jordan, but thank god you’re doing what you’re doing”.

‘You can yell at me about it’: Jordan no-vote Mike Lawler pushes back on Fox News hosts

15:10 , Gustaf Kilander

In a heated exchange on Fox News on Thursday morning, Rep Mike Lawler of New York, a Jordan no-vote, said, “With all due respect, if we don't get everybody in the room to hash out the path forward, it doesn't matter who the speaker is”.

“We can elect a new speaker but we still need 218 votes on the floor to pass our appropriations bills, to deal with aid to Israel, to deal with the crisis in Ukraine, to deal with our border,” he added. “If we can't compromise within the conference – forget about the Democrats – within the conference, we're not going to be able to govern. And that is the fundamental problem here.”

Republicans and Democrats to hold caucus meetings at 11am ET

15:08 , Gustaf Kilander

Both Republicans and Democrats will hold caucus meetings at 11am today as the number of Republicans voting against Mr Jordan is expected to grow if a third vote is held.

Anti-Jordan coalition expected to grow: ‘We know the names’

14:46 , Gustaf Kilander

The anti-Jordan coalition is expected to grow on Thursday as the third vote on the speakership bid of the Ohio Republican is expected to hit the House floor.

Rep Steve Womack, one of Mr Jordan’s detractors, told Axios, “The expectation is ... that there will be some others that will move away from the Jordan candidacy”.

“The chatter I’m hearing is about the need to move on,” he added.

Mr Womack estimated that between another three and five Republicans are expected to drop Mr Jordan, but the numbers could be higher.

The Arkansas Republican said that the “collective opinion” is that Mr Jordan “does not possess the skillsets needed to be an effective speaker”.

Rep Don Bacon of Nebraska was even more certain, telling Axios that “we know the names” of the new defectees.

“If we move to a third round, we already know the opposition is on track to grow," Rep John Rutherford of Florida said. “It’s time for Rep. Jordan to understand this race is over.”

Jordan pushing ahead even after two defeats: ‘We’ll keep talking to members’

14:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Even after losing two votes on the floor of the House, Mr Jordan told reporters that he’s planning on pushing ahead with his candidacy for the speakership.

“We got 200 votes. We picked up some today, a couple of them dropped off but they voted for me before, I think they’ll come back again. So we’ll keep talking to members, keep working on it,” Mr Jordan told the press, according to Politico, after getting 199 votes, losing four votes and gaining the support of two members.

The third vote is set to take place on Thursday.

Jimmy Kimmel roasts Kevin McCarthy for blaming House speaker chaos on Democrats

13:00 , Ariana Baio

Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy refuses to believe Republicans are to blame for the chaotic situation unfolding in the House of Representatives – as GOP members struggle to elect a new speaker.

Despite Mr McCarthy being ousted by eight members of his own party due to dissatisfaction with him, he told Fox News reporters that it was actually Democrats who “created this mess.”

“We wouldn’t be here if every single Democrat didn’t vote with eight Republicans to shut this place down,” Mr McCarthy said, despite the fact that Republicans retain a majority in the House.

Mr McCarthy’s theory about the speakership chaos struck a chord with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who compared the former speaker to spoiling hor d’oeuvres.

On Tuesday night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live the host said: “No, no, no we’re here today because your own party threw you out like a tray of salmon cakes from last weekend’s hometown buffet.”

READ MORE

VOICES: Biden’s Israel trip and GOP chaos drowns out the Trump show – for now

12:00 , Eric Garcia

On Wednesday morning, President Joe Biden arrived in Israel to express solidarity with the state after the deadly attack from Hamas. In addition, Mr Biden responded to an explosion at the Al-Ahli Arabi Baptist Hospital in Gaza that provoked outrage by saying that US intelligence indicated the explosion was caused “by the other team.”

Meanwhile, back on American soil, the House of Representatives entered its third week without a speaker as Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH), the rightwing firebrand, failed to win enough votes to lead the lower chamber of Congress.

The split screen likely gives Mr Biden more than a small amount of glee, while many Americans see that his advanced age is not only a drawback. His 36 years as a US senator, particularly as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his eight years as vice president, also give him wisdom and experience in handling international crises. Meanwhile, Republicans can’t even corral 217 votes to elect a speaker despite having the majority.

But what is being broadcast is just as notable as what isn’t being broadcast: news stories about former president Donald Trump. This isn’t for a dearth of coverage. As is always the case with the four-times-indicted and twice-impeached former president, a flurry of headlines always follow Mr Trump.

On Monday, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a partial gag order against the former president to prevent him from making “disparaging” or “inflammatory” comments about people or entities involved in his election interference case.

READ MORE

Opposition to Jordan hatched plan to show building coalition

11:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Opponents of Mr Jordan have revealed that they agreed on a strategy to increase their vote totals over the course of several ballots as a way to push the Ohian to drop his bid.

One GOP member who backed Mr Jordan on the first two votes said that a number of them hatched a plan to abandon Mr Jordan gradually to show that the opposition to his bid is building, according to CNN.

He said they “basically drew straws” to decide who would vote against Mr Jordan on the first ballot and who would joj the effort later.

Four Republicans dropped from the ranks supporting Mr Jordan on the second ballot, and the GOP member said more would follow if there’s a third vote.

New York Republican says ‘it’s clear’ Jordan ‘doesn’t have the votes’

10:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Mike Lawler, who voted against Mr Jordan on both ballots, told CNN that “it’s clear he doesn’t have the votes. Obviously it’s up to him if he wants to put it to a third ballot, I think you’ll see more folks dropping off on a third ballot”.

“I don’t see the outcome changing here,” he added. “I think it’s imperative that we empower Patrick McHenry to serve at least for the time being in that speaker role so that he can get the House moving again.”

“I continue to believe that Kevin McCarthy is the right person to lead this House. He never should have been removed as speaker,” Mr Lawler said. “Democrats need to look in the mirror here. They helped create this mess so they’re going to have to help get out of it. So if a resolution is put on the floor to give Patrick the ability to serve as a temporary speaker it would be the height of hypocrisy to vote against it.”

GOP Rep pushing for ‘off-site’ meetings

09:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Republican Rep Mike Garcia told Axios that he’s pushing for “off-site” meetings of the GOP caucus instead of further “therapy” sessions.

“It sounds silly, but let’s go to Gettysburg or something … We need to sequester ourselves somewhere else outside the Beltway,” he added.

Republican who went up against Jordan’s nomination blames chaos on Democrats

08:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Austin Scott, who put his name in the hat against Mr Jordan’s nomination, appeared on CNN attempting to blame Democrats for the situation in the House.

Third vote on Jordan speakership pushed to tommorrow

07:00 , Gustaf Kilander

The next vote on the flailing speakership bid of Rep Jim Jordan has been pushed to tomorrow Thursday (19 October), according ton Politico.

Mr Jordan is refusing to drop his speakership bid even after losing two votes on the floor of the House.

“We got 200 votes. We picked up some today, a couple of them dropped off but they voted for me before, I think they’ll come back again. So we’ll keep talking to members, keep working on it,” Mr Jordan told the press, according to Politico.

On Wednesday, 22 Republicans voted against Mr Jordan – up from 20 on Tuesday. Four members joined the anti-Jordan coalition, while two who voted against him in the first vote went back into the fold to support him.

Reps Victoria Spartz and Doug LaMalfa both voted for Mr Jordan after not supporting him on the first ballot.

Rep Gus Bilirakis didn’t attend the vote on Tuesday but showed up on Wednesday to back Mr Jordan.

Republicans angry at Don Bacon mistakenly call Democrat with similar name

06:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Mr Beyer referenced Matt Gertz of Media Matters, who frequently gets mistaken for Rep Matt Gaetz of Florida.

VIDEO: Protesters swarm US Capitol demanding Israel-Hamas ceasefire

05:00 , Benji Salmon

AOC doesn’t commit to empowering McHenry

04:15 , Eric Garcia

Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) did not commit one way when asked about empowering Mr McHenry, the temporary speaker.

“I’d have to see what the options are on the table,” she told The Independent.

In addition, the House is hoping to pass an aide package to Israel as President Joe Biden pays a visit to the nation as Israel has begun a war in Gaza after Hamas attacked earlier this month. The House also hopes to pass aid to Ukraine despite the fact that many conservatives oppose aiding Ukraine.

For his part, Mr McCarthy, now out of the speaker’s chair, walked into the House floor toward the end of the huddle with Mr McHenry and other Republicans.

‘It may actually get worse in the next round’

03:30 , Eric Garcia

Rep Carlos Giménez (R-FL), who opposed Mr Jordan, told The Independent would not say whether it meant that Mr Jordan should step aside.

“You need to ask Mr Jordan that. That’s his personal decision,” he said. “I think that this is an indication that’s not getting any better. And it may actually get worse in the next round.”

Mr Giménez said he would be open to a resolution to empower the speaker pro tempore.

“What I’m saying generally, that I would support something that would open the House and get us back into business as we iron our differences out,” he said.

‘The country cannot afford more delays and more chaos'

02:45 , Eric Garcia

Rep Pete Aguilar, the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, nominated House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“The country cannot afford more delays and more chaos,” he said. “Fifteen days should be enough.”

The vote comes as some Republicans, led by Rep David Joyce of Ohio, have discussed potentially giving Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry more power so the House could resume deliberation to pass spending bills to avert a government shutdown.

After the vote, Mr McHenry huddled with Rep French Hill of Arkansas; Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, who opposed Mr Jordan; David Joyce of Ohio and Brian Fitzpatrick on the floor of the House. Mr Kelly told The Independent that he did not know if such a resolution could pass.

“I don’t know I really don’t know because we haven’t brought it up yet,” he said. Mr Kelly voted for former House speaker Boehner on the second round.

Biden mockingly says he’s aching for Jim Jordan

02:00 , Gustaf Kilander

President Joe Biden was asked for his “view of Jim Jordan’s current predicament being unable to secure the speakership?”

“I ache for him,” a sarcastic Mr Biden said. “No. Zero. None.”

Tom Cole praises Jordan for wanting to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid

01:15 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Tom Cole praised Mr Jordan for wanting to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid on Wednesday.

California Democrat Ted Lieu said Mr Cole was asking “Republicans to vote for Jim Jordan because he will cut Social Security and Medicare. So-called Republican ‘moderates’ have a choice. They can vote for an extremist who will cut Social Security and Medicare. Or they can choose a bipartisan path forward”.

Mr Jordan lost support in the second vote and pushed the third to Thursday.

Ahead of the second vote, Mr Cole said, “if you’re Republican, it ought to be a pretty easy decision, my friends, you know, this is somebody who believes what we believe and has fought for and shown that over and over again”.

“I first got to know him a lot of his focus was on spending. That’s exactly where the focus of this House ought to be. Now, he’s laid out a plan, not just a short-term plan as to how we deal with the appropriations process. I’m an appropriator. I think I know that. That’s not the root of the problem,” he said. “But unlike any other speaker we’ve had, he’s had the courage to talk about a long-term plan and the ... the real drivers of debt. And we all know what they are. We all know what Social Security. We all know it’s Medicare. We all know it’s Medicaid.”

“No president of either side has been willing to deal with this. No speaker of either side has been willing to deal with this,” he added.

Jim Jordan loses more votes in second ballot for House speaker

00:30 , Eric Garcia

Rep Jim Jordan failed to become speaker of the US House of Representatives after a second day of votes, as more Republicans joined the initial 20 members of the House GOP conference who initially opposed his nomination.

Mr Jordan, a right-wing firebrand and close ally of former president Donald Trump, failed to gain the necessary 217 votes to become speaker as the House enters its third week without a leader.

While some Republicans switched to support Mr Jordan, the Ohio Republican lost the support of Reps Vern Buchanan of Florida, Drew Ferguson of Georgia, Marianette Miller Meeks of Iowa and Pete Stauber of Minnesota.

The failure comes after Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) filed a motion to vacate two weeks ago to unseat former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and conservatives blocked House Majority Steve Scalise’s bid to secure the gavel.

Rep Tom Cole, the chairman of the House Rules Committee, delivered a nominating speech to rally supporters for Mr Jordan, citing Mr Jordan’s “personal integrity” and calling on the House to get back to work.

READ MORE:

Jim Jordan loses more votes in second ballot for House speaker

Who are the 22 House Republicans who took down Jim Jordan on second ballot?

23:45 , Gustaf Kilander

On Wednesday, 22 Republicans voted against Mr Jordan – up from 20 on Tuesday. Four members joined the anti-Jordan coalition, while two who voted against him in the first vote went back into the fold to support him.

Reps Victoria Spartz and Doug LaMalfa both voted for Mr Jordan after not supporting him on the first ballot.

Rep Gus Bilirakis didn’t attend the vote on Tuesday but showed up on Wednesday to back Mr Jordan.

These are the Republicans who didn’t vote for Mr Jordan in the second ballot on Wednesday:

1. Rep Don Bacon voted for Mr McCarthy

2. Rep Vern Buchanan voted for Rep Byron Donalds (Flipped to vote against Mr Jordan on second ballot)

3. Rep Ken Buck voted for Rep Tom Emmer

4. Rep Lori Chavez-DeRemer voted for Mr McCarthy

5. Rep Anthony D’Esposito voted for former Rep Lee Zeldin, the 2022 New York GOP gubernatorial nominee.

6. Rep Mario Diaz-Balart voted for Mr Scalise

7. Rep Jake Ellzey voted for Rep Mike Garcia

8. Rep Drew Ferguson voted for Mr Scalise (Flipped)

9. Rep Andrew Garbarino voted for Mr Zeldin

10. Rep Carlos Gimenez voted for Mr McCarthy

11. Rep Tony Gonzales voted for Mr Scalise

12. Rep Kay Granger voted for Mr Scalise

13. Rep John James voted for Candice Miller, the Public Works Commissioner of Macomb County, Michigan

14. Rep Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania voted for former Speaker John Boehner

15. Rep Jen Kiggans voted for Mr McCarthy

16. Rep Mike Lawler voted for Mr McCarthy

17. Rep Nick LaLota voted for Mr Zeldin

18. Rep Mariannette Miller-Meeks voted for Ms Granger (Flipped)

19. Rep John Rutherford voted for Mr Scalise

20. Rep Mike Simpson voted for Mr Scalise

21. Rep Pete Stauber voted for Rep Bruce Westerman (Flipped)

22. Rep Steve Womack voted for Mr Scalise

Who are the 22 House Republicans who took down Jim Jordan on second ballot?

Jordan no votes push for immediate third vote

23:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Much like on Tuesday, those opposing Mr Jordan’s bid are pushing for an immediate follow-up vote after the failed ballot on Wednesday.

Mr Jordan has said that the next vote will be pushed to Thursday.

Jordan offers to ‘give away a big piece of the Trump tax bill’ to become speaker

22:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Jim Jordan told moderate New York Republicans that he would back doubling the state and local tax deduction (SALT) to $20,000, California Republican Mike Garcia has revealed, according to Bloomberg.

But the deal was rejected, Mr Garcia noted.

“Imagine if any other speaker candidate -- McCarthy, Scalise, Boehner, Ryan -- negotiated to give away a big piece of the Trump tax bill in closed-door negotiations to get the gavel,” Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News noted.

VOICES: Biden’s Israel trip and GOP chaos drowns out the Trump show – for now

22:15 , Eric Garcia

On Wednesday morning, President Joe Biden arrived in Israel to express solidarity with the state after the deadly attack from Hamas. In addition, Mr Biden responded to an explosion at the Al-Ahli Arabi Baptist Hospital in Gaza that provoked outrage by saying that US intelligence indicated the explosion was caused “by the other team.”

Meanwhile, back on American soil, the House of Representatives entered its third week without a speaker as Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH), the rightwing firebrand, failed to win enough votes to lead the lower chamber of Congress.

The split screen likely gives Mr Biden more than a small amount of glee, while many Americans see that his advanced age is not only a drawback. His 36 years as a US senator, particularly as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his eight years as vice president, also give him wisdom and experience in handling international crises. Meanwhile, Republicans can’t even corral 217 votes to elect a speaker despite having the majority.

But what is being broadcast is just as notable as what isn’t being broadcast: news stories about former president Donald Trump. This isn’t for a dearth of coverage. As is always the case with the four-times-indicted and twice-impeached former president, a flurry of headlines always follow Mr Trump.

On Monday, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a partial gag order against the former president to prevent him from making “disparaging” or “inflammatory” comments about people or entities involved in his election interference case.

READ MORE

'The Republicans have to end this saga’

22:00 , Gustaf Kilander

House Democrats have not decided if they will back a resolution to hand more powers to the temporary speaker, Rep Patrick McHenry of North Carolina.

Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told CNN that the top focus of his caucus was to end Rep Jim Jordan’s speakership bid.

Mr Jordan decided to push the third vote on his bid for the gavel to Thursday after losing two votes on the floor of the House.

“The Republicans have to end this saga, as opposed to us having another futile effort to elevate and insurrectionists to lead the House of Representatives,” Mr Jeffries told CNN.

Hundreds of protesters swarm Capitol rotunda to demand Israel-Hamas ceasefire

21:30 , Mike Bedigan

Hundreds of protesters have swarmed the Cannon Rotunda at the US Capitol in Washington DC to demand an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with thousands more taking to the streets outside.

Footage online showed a large group of people, some sitting on the floor, gathered in the famous building, waving a large banner that read “Jews say ceasefire now” – and chanting.

More stood on the balcony of the rotunda also waving banners calling for a ceasefire. One read “mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living”.

Many of those gathered were dressed in Jewish attire including the Tallit prayer shawls and Kippahs. Others wore black t-shirts emblazoned with the words “not in our name”.

Despite appearing to be a peaceful protest, Capitol police soon moved to arrest members of the demonstration. By this time the number of people gathered looked to have risen.

READ MORE:

Dozens of protesters swarm Capitol rotunda to demand Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Third vote on Jordan speakership pushed to tommorrow

21:06 , Gustaf Kilander

The next vote on the flailing speakership bid of Rep Jim Jordan has been pushed to tomorrow Thursday (19 October), according ton Politico.

Mr Jordan is refusing to drop his speakership bid even after losing two votes on the floor of the House.

“We got 200 votes. We picked up some today, a couple of them dropped off but they voted for me before, I think they’ll come back again. So we’ll keep talking to members, keep working on it,” Mr Jordan told the press, according to Politico.

On Wednesday, 22 Republicans voted against Mr Jordan – up from 20 on Tuesday. Four members joined the anti-Jordan coalition, while two who voted against him in the first vote went back into the fold to support him.

Reps Victoria Spartz and Doug LaMalfa both voted for Mr Jordan after not supporting him on the first ballot.

Rep Gus Bilirakis didn’t attend the vote on Tuesday but showed up on Wednesday to back Mr Jordan.

Republican who went up against Jordan nomination blames chaos on Democrats

21:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Austin Scott, who put his name in the hat against Mr Jordan’s nomination, appeared on CNN attempting to blame Democrats for the situation in the House.

GOP Rep pushing for ‘off-site’ meetings

20:40 , Gustaf Kilander

Republican Rep Mike Garcia told Axios that he’s pushing for “off-site” meetings of the GOP caucus instead of further “therapy” sessions.

“It sounds silly, but let’s go to Gettysburg or something … We need to sequester ourselves somewhere else outside the Beltway,” he added.

New York Republican says ‘it’s clear’ Jordan ‘doesn’t have the votes’

20:20 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Mike Lawler, who voted against Mr Jordan on both ballots, told CNN that “it’s clear he doesn’t have the votes. Obviously it’s up to him if he wants to put it to a third ballot, I think you’ll see more folks dropping off on a third ballot”.

“I don’t see the outcome changing here,” he added. “I think it’s imperative that we empower Patrick McHenry to serve at least for the time being in that speaker role so that he can get the House moving again.”

“I continue to believe that Kevin McCarthy is the right person to lead this House. He never should have been removed as speaker,” Mr Lawler said. “Democrats need to look in the mirror here. They helped create this mess so they’re going to have to help get out of it. So if a resolution is put on the floor to give Patrick the ability to serve as a temporary speaker it would be the height of hypocrisy to vote against it.”

Opposition to Jordan hatched plan to show building coalition

20:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Opponents of Mr Jordan have revealed that they agreed on a strategy to increase their vote totals over the course of several ballots as a way to push the Ohian to drop his bid.

One GOP member who backed Mr Jordan on the first two votes said that a number of them hatched a plan to abandon Mr Jordan gradually to show that the opposition to his bid is building, according to CNN.

He said they “basically drew straws” to decide who would vote against Mr Jordan on the first ballot and who would joj the effort later.

Four Republicans dropped from the ranks supporting Mr Jordan on the second ballot, and the GOP member said more would follow if there’s a third vote.

Amidst House Speaker chaos, protesters occupy rotunda demanding Israeli ceasefire

19:49 , Gustaf Kilander

Jimmy Kimmel roasts Kevin McCarthy for blaming House speaker chaos on Democrats

19:35 , Ariana Baio

Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy refuses to believe Republicans are to blame for the chaotic situation unfolding in the House of Representatives – as GOP members struggle to elect a new speaker.

Despite Mr McCarthy being ousted by eight members of his own party due to dissatisfaction with him, he told Fox News reporters that it was actually Democrats who “created this mess.”

“We wouldn’t be here if every single Democrat didn’t vote with eight Republicans to shut this place down,” Mr McCarthy said, despite the fact that Republicans retain a majority in the House.

Mr McCarthy’s theory about the speakership chaos struck a chord with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who compared the former speaker to spoiling hor d’oeuvres.

On Tuesday night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live the host said: “No, no, no we’re here today because your own party threw you out like a tray of salmon cakes from last weekend’s hometown buffet.”

READ MORE:

Jimmy Kimmel roasts McCarthy for blaming speaker chaos on Democrats

VIDEO: Moment Jim Jordan loses second House speaker vote by larger margin than in first round

19:15 , Benji Salmon

Jordan pushing ahead even after two defeats: ‘We’ll keep talking to members’

18:49 , Gustaf Kilander

Even after losing two votes on the floor of the House, Mr Jordan told reporters that he’s planning on pushing ahead with his candidacy for the speakership.

“We got 200 votes. We picked up some today, a couple of them dropped off but they voted for me before, I think they’ll come back again. So we’ll keep talking to members, keep working on it,” Mr Jordan told the press, according to Politico, after getting 199 votes, losing four votes and gaining the support of two members.

‘Fifteen days should be enough'

18:45 , Eric Garcia

Rep Tom Cole, the chairman of the House Rules Committee, delivered a nominating speech to rally supporters for Mr Jordan, citing Mr Jordan’s “personal integrity” and calling on the House to get back to work.

Conversely, Rep Pete Aguilar, the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, nominated House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“The country cannot afford more delays and more chaos,” he said. “Fifteen days should be enough.”

The vote comes as some Republicans, led by Rep David Joyce of Ohio, have discussed potentially giving Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry more power so the House could resume deliberation to pass spending bills to avert a government shutdown.

In addition, the House is hoping to pass an aide package to Israel as President Joe Biden pays a visit to the nation as Israel has begun a war in Gaza after Hamas attacked earlier this month. The House also hopes to pass aid to Ukraine despite the fact that many conservatives oppose aiding Ukraine.

Jim Jordan loses more votes in second ballot for House speaker

18:27 , Eric Garcia

Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) failed to become speaker of the US House of Representatives after a second day of votes as more Republicans joined the initial 20 members of the House GOP conference who opposed his nomination.

Mr Jordan, a right-wing firebrand and close ally of former president Donald Trump, failed to gain the necessary 217 votes to become speaker of the House as the House enters its third week without a leader.

While some Republicans switched to support Mr Jordan, the Ohio Republican lost the support of Reps Vern Buchanan of Florida, Drew Ferguson of Georgia, Marianette Miller Meeks of Iowa and Pete Stauber of Minnesota.

The failure comes after Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) filed a motion to vacate two weeks ago to unseat former speaker Kevin McCarthy and conservatives blocked House Majority Steve Scalise.

READ MORE:

Jim Jordan loses more votes in second ballot for House speaker

18:02 , Gustaf Kilander

Four Republicans who voted for Mr Jordan on Tuesday didn’t back him today.

Two Republicans who voted against him yesterday flipped to back him.

One member who was absent on Tuesday voted for Mr Jordan today.

After getting 200 votes on Tuesday, Mr Jordan appears to receive 199 today.

17:51 , Gustaf Kilander

Following a fourth fresh defection from Mr Jordan, the anti-Jordan GOP coalition reached 21 – a worse result than on Tuesday.

17:38 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Doug LaMalfa voted for Mr Jordan on Wednesday after previously voting for Mr McCarthy.

But two Jordan-backers have flipped so far.

Jordan and Jeffries cheered when voting for themselves

17:36 , Gustaf Kilander

17:34 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Mike Kelly, who voted for Mr Scalise yesterday, backed ex-Speaker John Boehner on Wednesday.

17 Republicans have now voted against Mr Jordan.

Democrats chant after nominating speech for Jeffries

17:21 , Gustaf Kilander

17:20 , Gustaf Kilander

If no one changes their vote, Rep Jim Jordan has lost the second vote on his speaker’s bid after at least five Republicans voted against him.

Second vote is underway, Jordan is losing support

17:17 , Gustaf Kilander

The second vote is underway and Mr Jordan is losing support.

Rep Verb Buchanan, who backed Mr Jordan on Tuesday, voted for Rep Byron Donalds on Wednesday.

‘The Speaker of the House must be a legislator,’ Aguilar say as he blasts Jordan

17:14 , Gustaf Kilander

As he nominated Mr Jeffries, Mr Aguilar said, “One thing was very clear yesterday. The vote total – 212 to 200. The people's house has spoken and Leader Jeffries has the support to be the Speaker that this country needs”.

“212 to 200 – No amount of election denying is going to take away from those vote totals,” he said.

“We shouldn't be surprised at the vote count. I noted yesterday the legislative acumen of the gentleman from Ohio Would it surprise anyone that in addition to not passing a single piece of legislation,” Mr Aguilar added. “He's never put a piece of legislation that has made it to a committee.”

“The Speaker of the House must be a legislator and the gentleman from Ohio falls short in that regard. He supports an extreme agenda and is hell-bent on banning abortion nationwide,” Mr Aguilar said, adding that Mr Jordan was aiming at “gutting Medicare, gutting Social Security and giving cover to January 6 attackers”.

“Those aren't the values that we share,” he added.

Aguilar mentions possibility of compromise as he nominates Jeffries

17:09 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Pete Aguilar, the chair of the Democratic Caucus, said in his speech nominating Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, “I promised to make these speeches shorter if we get closer to a compromise, but I'm not certain that that's going to happen at this moment”.

“While the Republican candidate for speaker is making late-night backroom deals to secure the gavel, Leader Jeffries has once again extended the hand of bipartisanship for a path forward,” he added.

Tom Cole goes after Medicare and Medicaid in Jordan nominating speech

17:05 , Gustaf Kilander

Mr Cole continued his nominating speech of Mr Jordan saying, “if you're Republican, it ought to be a pretty easy decision, my friends, you know, this is somebody who believes what we believe and has fought for and shown that over and over again”.

“I first got to know him a lot of his focus was on spending. That's exactly where the focus of this House ought to be. Now, he's laid out a plan, not just a short-term plan as to how we deal with the appropriations process. I'm an appropriator. I think I know that. That's not the root of the problem,” he said. “But unlike any other speaker we've had, he's had the courage to talk about a long-term plan and the ... the real drivers of debt. And we all know what they are. We all know what Social Security. We all know it's Medicare. We all know it's Medicaid.”

“No president of either side has been willing to deal with this. No speaker of either side has been willing to deal with this,” he added.

‘We all know he’s a pretty direct man,’ Cole says of Jordan in nominating speech

17:01 , Gustaf Kilander

Mr Cole said in his speech nominating Mr Jordan that “you don't win national championships in college, you don't come to this floor with a sincere set of beliefs and desire to make a change and be shy about it. And my friend is not a shy person. But I've learned some things about him over the years”.

“He's a person of absolute personal integrity. I've never once had to question something that he told me. He's an honourable man,” Mr Cole added.

“Also, I think we all know he's a pretty direct man too. I don't think anybody in here on any issue of any substance would have to guess where Jim Jordan is gonna stand. He doesn't deceive ... He simply tells you straight up this is what I believe this is why I think it's the right thing to do for the country,” he said. “And that's what I'm going to try and accomplish. I'm going to work with you in any way that I can to do it. Now, the other thing I think we've found in the last couple of weeks, is what it takes to be a speaker and one thing I know never having been one and never having aspired to be one that it takes a bite of steel to do this job.”

“My friend has that kind of determination, he has that kind of character, he has that kind of spine. And I think the next speaker is going to need that quality,” Mr Cole said.

‘Maga American’ tells Jamie Raskin God gave him cancer as punishment

17:00 , Martha McHardy

Democratic Rep Jamie Raskin had an unpleasant encounter with a MAGA supporter following the failed House speaker vote on Tuesday.

During a round of press interviews outside Congress, the Maryland congressman was approached by a man who allegedly described himself as a “Maga American”.

The man told Mr Raskin, who is battling lymphoma, that God had punished him by giving him cancer.

The man also allegedly told Mr Raskin he was on the “wrong side of history“ and should “repent,” before walking off.

Mr Raskin had a lighthearted response to the man’s remarks, telling a group of journalists: “Welcome to my world.”

READ MORE:

Maga supporter tells Jamie Raskin God gave him cancer as punishment

Rep Tom Cole of Oklahoma begins nomination speech for Jordan

16:57 , Gustaf Kilander

Holdouts huddle and speak to Jordan supporters as vote looms

16:44 , Gustaf Kilander

GOP holdout Don Bacon was seen speaking in a very animated manner on the floor of the House to Republican Reps Guthrie, Pence, Guest, and Miller-Meeks, ahead of the vote on Wednesday morning, according to Axios.

Fellow holdouts Reps D’Esposito, LaLota, Lawler, Rutherford and Gimenez were speaking to each other near Mr Bacon.

Freedom Caucus chair tries to tamp down expectations

16:41 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Scott Perry, the chair of the House Freedom Caucus and a supporter of Mr Jordan, attempted to temper expectations on Wednesday morning.

“Just so there’s no surprises: Jordan will likely have FEWER votes today than yesterday — as I expected. This is the fight - which Jim Jordan represents - to end the status quo, and it ain’t easy…Stay strong and keep praying,” he wrote on X.

GOP congresswoman announces retirement amid House speaker chaos

16:30 , Holly Hales, Eric Garcia

GOP Rep Debbie Lesko has announced that she is retiring from Congress amid because “Washington DC is broken” – as the Republican party continues to court chaos with the House speaker vote.

The 64-year-old, who represents Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District, also said that her wish to spend more time with family was behind the decision.

“Spending, on average, three weeks out of every month away from my family, and traveling back and forth to Washington, DC almost every weekend is difficult,” Lesko said in a statement.

“Right now, Washington, DC is broken; it is hard to get anything done.”

Ms Lesko said she will remain committed to her constituents until her term officially ends in January 2025.

READ MORE:

GOP Rep Debbie Lesko announces retirement amid House speaker chaos

Wife of GOP holdout receives texts and emails pushing Jordan for speaker

16:27 , Gustaf Kilander

House gathers for second day of voting on Jordan speakership

16:17 , Eric Garcia

House gavels in for quorum vote ahead of second Jordan ballot

16:16 , Gustaf Kilander

Jim Jordan hasn’t had a single bill signed into law in 16 years

16:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Mr Jordan’s critics have noted that he has an essentially non-existent legislative record and is short of bipartisan experience, preferring to push his own party to the right, away from the Democrats.

Mr Jordan hasn’t been able to get a bill signed into law since he entered the chamber in 2007.

“House Republicans have just elected a speaker nominee who in 16 years in this Congress hasn’t passed a single bill because his focus has not been on the American people,” Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Friday (13 October).

While Congress passes few bills and many legislators fail to get a bill signed into law, other metrics suggest that Mr Jordan would be an unconventional speaker.

According to the Center for Effective Lawmaking, only four members were less effective than Mr Jordan last Congress. He has remained in the bottom five in the GOP caucus in the last four Congresses. In every full Congress he has been a part of, he has been in the bottom quarter of lawmakers.

Comparatively, ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy sponsored 17 passing bills, eight of which were signed into law.

The office of Mr Jordan pointed to 64 bills that he co-signed – meaning that he backed another lawmaker’s bill – that were signed into law, telling The Washington Post on Monday that Mr Jordan had “negotiated legislation directly with the White House and returned millions to the US Treasury from his office budget”.

“Congressman Jordan has always done what he told the voters he would do — whether it’s assisting seniors getting Medicare and Social Security benefits, expediting passports, helping veterans, meeting with thousands of constituents, or touring hundreds of businesses in Ohio’s 4th district — and the constituents know it,” spokesperson Russell Dye told the paper.

‘Bipartisanship will be required for just about everything'

15:48 , Gustaf Kilander

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday ahead of the second ballot of Rep Jim Jordan becoming speaker that “No matter who becomes speaker, one lesson remains true ... bipartisanship will be the only way things get done in a divided government,” according to Politico.

“Bipartisanship will be required for just about everything,” he added.

The radicals are finally getting their comeuppance

15:46 , Eric Garcia

Florida Republican says Jordan likely to lose support on second ballot

15:31 , Gustaf Kilander

Who are the 20 House Republicans who voted against Jim Jordan in speaker vote?

15:30 , Gustaf Kilander

In a worse-than-expected result, a total of 20 House Republicans voted against Rep Jim Jordan’s bid for the speakership on the first ballot.

Going into the first vote on Tuesday (17 October), Mr Jordan had appeared to be turning the tide in terms of garnering support from within his own party.

Here are the 20 House Republicans who voted against Mr Jordan:

1. Rep Don Bacon of Nebraska voted for Mr McCarthy.

2. Rep Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon voted for Mr McCarthy.

3. Rep Anthony D’Esposito of New York voted for former Rep Lee Zeldin, the 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee.

4. Rep Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida voted for Mr Scalise.

5. Rep Jake Ellzey of Texas voted for Rep Mike Garcia of California.

6. Rep Andrew Garbarino of New York voted for Mr Zeldin.

7. Rep Carlos Gimenez of voted for Mr McCarthy.

8. Rep Tony Gonzales of Texas voted for Mr Scalise.

9. Rep Kay Granger of Texas voted for Mr Scalise.

10. Rep Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania voted for Mr Scalise.

11. Rep Jen Kiggans of Virginia voted for Mr McCarthy.

12. Rep Nick LaLota of New York voted for Mr Zeldin.

13. Rep Mike Lawler of New York voted for Mr McCarthy.

14. Rep John Rutherford of Florida voted for Mr Scalise.

15. Rep Mike Simpson of Idaho voted for Mr Scalise.

16. Rep Steve Womack of Arkansas voted for Mr Scalise.

17. Rep Ken Buck of Colorado voted for Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota.

18. Rep John James of Michigan voted for Rep Tom Cole of Oklahoma.

19. Rep Doug LaMalfa of California voted for Mr McCarthy.

20. Rep Victoria Spartz of Indiana voted for Rep Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

READ MORE:

The 20 House Republicans behind Jim Jordan’s failed first speaker vote

Jordan likely to lose support on second ballot

15:07 , Gustaf Kilander

What could happen if the second vote fails

15:06 , Gustaf Kilander

Nebraska GOP Don Bacon: Jordan should ‘realize he cannot win'

15:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Nebraska GOP Rep Don Bacon told KETV that “It is our hope that Jim, Mr Jordan, will realize he cannot win. And we need to move on and select a speaker. We need a speaker ASAP”.

Mr Bacon voted for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy during the first ballot on Tuesday.

‘Coercion and intimidation is not a good idea,’ GOP Rep who voted against Jordan says

14:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Victoria Spartz of Indiana chose to not back Mr Jordan in the first vote on Tuesday.

Wednesday morning ahead of the second ballot, she wrote on X: “Appreciate many friendly calls, but understand your frustrations. Republicans must govern - not be talking heads on TV!”

She went on to lay out “two points – Jim is elected by members and accountable to members from very diverse districts, so coercion and intimidation is not a good idea”.

“Before you coronate Jim please assess if he was effective for you or for McCarthy as Judiciary Chair,” she added.

Jordan’s push for abortion ban is ‘toxic’

14:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Mr Jordan put forward the Life at Conception Act which would outlaw all abortions across the US.

“Republicans have gotten wise to how toxic this idea is but this is what they are putting forward,” columnist and political observer Matthew Yglesias wrote on X on Monday.

“Now obviously Rep Jordan is no more going to get this signed into law than he’s going to protect student-athletes from sexual abuse, but this mentality will inform every judicial and regulatory policy decision handed down by a Republican administration,” he added.

Jim Jordan called out for failure to pass any legislation in 16 years before House speaker vote

13:32 , Martha McHardy

Jim Jordan was called out for his failure to pass any legislation during his 16 years in Congress just before he lost the first vote in his bid to become House speaker.

Democratic Rep Pete Aguilar of California offered a scathing rebuke of Mr Jordan’s record in a speech nominating Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries against the Ohio Republican on Tuesday.

Mr Aguilar slammed Mr Jordan as a “legislative terrorist”, claiming his actions are “not the actions of someone interested in governing or bettering the lives of everyday Americans.”

He began by citing Mr Jordan directly: “He once said, quote, ‘I didn’t come to Congress to make more laws.’”

“His words speak for themselves,” Mr Aguilar continued. “When New Yorkers recovering from Hurricane Sandy needed Congress to act, he said no. When wildfires ravage the West, destroying homes and businesses, and those residents needed disaster assistance, he said no.

READ MORE:

Jim Jordan called out for failing to pass any legislation for 16 years

Jim Jordan’s controversies: The Ohio State allegations

13:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Mr Jordan, a back-to-back NCAA national wrestling champion in 1985 and 1986, served as the assistant coach on the Ohio State wrestling team between 1987 and 1995.

Four wrestlers have come forward claiming that Mr Jordan failed to shield them from the alleged sexual abuse by team physician Richard Strauss, who died by suicide in 2005. There have been no allegations made that Mr Jordan committed any sexual misconduct but members of the team claim that he was aware of Dr Strauss’s violations and that he chose to turn a blind eye to it.

Mr Jordan hasn’t faced arrest or charges for failure to report, but the four wrestlers named him in a lawsuit against the school.

Mr Jordan has rejected all allegations of wrongdoing and he has declined to take part in the investigations against Dr Strauss. He told Fox News that the “lies” had been “sequenced and choreographed” by “the left”.

Former OSU wrestler Mike Schyck is one of hundreds of students who say they faced sexual abuse from Dr Strauss.

“Do you really want a guy in that job who chose not to stand up for his guys?” he asked, according to NBC News. “Is that the kind of character trait you want for a House speaker?”

If Mr Jordan becomes speaker, he may still be deposed in one of the legal filings.

Dunyasha Yetts, also a former wrestler at the university, has accused Mr Jordan of lying when saying he was unaware of the alleged abuse, calling his “hypocrisy … unbelievable”.

“He doesn’t deserve to be House speaker,” Mr Yetts told the network. “He still has to answer for what happened to us.”

Fellow former OSU wrestler and attorney representing a number of the plaintiffs, Rocky Ratliff, told NBC that Mr Jordan “abandoned his former wrestlers in the Ohio State sexual abuse scandal and cover-up”.

An unidentified individual referred to as John Doe in the most recent legal filing said that he thinks that while Mr Jordan is qualified to be speaker, he struggled to endorse his bid.

“My problem with Jimmy is that he has been playing with words instead of supporting us,” the individual said, according to NBC. “None of us used the words ‘sexual abuse’ when we talked about what Doc Strauss was doing to us, we just knew it was weird and Jimmy knew about it because we talked about it all the time in the locker room, at practices, everywhere.”

“His locker was just a few spots away from mine and mine was near Dr Strauss,” Mr Schyck noted. “And we were always talking about Dr Strauss. There’s no way he didn’t know what was going on.”

Mr Ratliff called it an “open secret”.

“Everybody talked about Strauss,” he said, according to NBC. “Everybody knew if you went to him, the first thing he would do is take down your pants. Everybody knew he was taking unnecessary showers with the team. His locker was near Jimmy’s locker.”