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.
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.
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.
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.
But Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) did not commit one way when asked about empowering Mr McHenry.
“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.
