Republicans nominate Jim Jordan for Speaker

Mr. Jordan said he believed he could bring people together. Photo: REUTERS

House Republicans have nominated hard-liner Jim Jordan to become speaker on the issue. He will call a vote Friday that will test whether he can overcome the partisan differences that caused Steve Scalise to abandon his bid.

Representative Elise Stefanik, a member of the House Republican leadership, said on social media that Mr. Jordan won a closed-door vote that pitted him against Austin Scott, a Georgia lawmaker who has led relatively discreet figure. Congress.

The Republican infighting has left the House paralyzed for 10 days and lawmakers deadlocked over the successor to Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted by a small group of Republican insurgents on Oct. 3.

< p>Some Republicans said their problems go deeper than a lack of leadership.

“Lack of trust. There is a lack of transparency,” said spokeswoman Kat Cammack. “This is something we need to figure out before we can really get to the speaker.”

Mr. Jordan's next test is whether he can get the votes of the 217 members of the full House, including Democrats.< /p >

“I think I can bring the conference together, I think I can tell the country what we're doing and why it's important,” said Mr. Jordan, who has tormented Republican leaders for years as an outspoken defender of the party's right. -wing.

Anger from someone

But the new nominee to lead the House Judiciary Committee faced skepticism from those angry that people had failed to unite behind Mr. Scalise, who had already has held managerial position No. 2 for many years.

«I just think. that Steve made a raw deal,” said Rep. Vern Buchanan.

Some members said they are pushing for a full House vote this weekend, once Republicans choose a nominee.

Without According to the speaker, the House is deadlocked as the war in the Middle East widens, Russia continues to strike Ukraine and the government faces a Nov. 17 partial shutdown deadline without additional funding from Congress.

Supporters — Jordan said his confrontational style could help in negotiations with Joe Biden and the Democratic-controlled Senate.

“We need someone tough, smart and able to negotiate in this room. I think Jim Jordan can do it,” said Representative Nicole Malliotakis.

Although McCarthy was the first speaker in US history to be removed by a House vote, the last two Republicans to hold the position were John Boehner . and Paul Ryan, who also left under pressure from their right flanks.