Jim Jordan Calls Off Third Ballot for Speaker, Backs Interim Speaker Plan

The House will not hold a third vote on House Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan’s (R-Ohio) bid for speaker — at least for now.

On Thursday, Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman reported Jordan — who has lost two rounds of voting this week — would not call for a third round of voting.

Instead, the Ohio Republican will support a plan to empower House Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) through January.

On Tuesday, 20 Republicans voted for someone other than Jordan for speaker. And on Wednesday, the number increased to 22, raising doubts about whether he could secure the required 217 votes.

CNN’s Melanie Zanona reported Republicans opposed to Jordan planned to stagger their votes against him to make it appear the opposition was growing.

After Jordan lost the first vote, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) wrote on his personal site that lawmakers should give McHenry more power so the chamber can pass legislation without formally electing a speaker.

Former House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) shared the post on X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote, “I agree.”

However, it was unclear whether there would be enough votes to empower McHenry temporarily.

Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) called it “the biggest F U you to Republican voters.”

He also predicted “more than half of Republicans” would oppose the move.

The House has not had a speaker for over two weeks when Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was stripped of the position.