Jordan fails to win House speakership in second vote

In a second round of voting, Jim Jordan again failed to receive enough votes to become speaker, keeping House leadership in limbo.

He won 199 votes, with 22 Republicans voting against him. The Democrats' nominee, Hakeem Jeffries, earned 212 votes.

GOP Rep. David Valadao, who represents a district President Joe Biden won, has voted for Jim Jordan on both ballots but says it is time to empower acting Speaker Patrick McHenry. 

Some background: Rep. Dave Joyce, an Ohio Republican, is leading the charge on a possible privileged resolution to empower McHenry and expand his powers if Jordan fails to secure the speakership today.

While the votes are being tallied, Reps. Jim Jordan and Kevin McCarthy are huddling on what to do next.

They could try to recess and go to a closed-door conference meeting or a Republican can bring forward a motion to empower interim Speaker Patrick McHenry. The plan remains fluid. Sitting in the speaker's chair, McHenry has the power on who to recognize. 

GOP Rep. Mike Gallagher says he expects Republicans to go back into another conference meeting to “air grievances” after this expected failed speaker’s vote. But he doesn’t know where they go from here, warning of the dangers of their dysfunction. 

He also said GOP “messiness is a feature, not a bug.”

Gallagher said he has several “concerns” about empowering interim speaker Patrick McHenry, an idea gaining steam. Empowering McHenry would expand his ability beyond just administering a speaker vote to potentially move legislation through the chamber, although the exact specifics aren't clear.

Gallagher said he would support a Kevin McCarthy comeback if McCarthy wanted to, joking his speaker sign is still there. 

But Gallagher said he would not be interested in the speakership himself, though his name has been floated by others.  

Rep. Jim Jordan appears to be faring worse today than yesterday during the second round of voting for the speakership.

Yesterday, Jordan lost 20 votes from his own party during the first round of voting for speaker. So far today, he's lost 21 votes.

Like yesterday, members of Jordan's party are voting for others including Reps. Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise, as well as former Rep. Lee Zeldin, who is not a member of Congress at this time.

Remember: Members can change their votes up until the vote concludes.

Rep. Vern Buchanan, chairman of the Florida congressional delegation, flipped his vote from Rep. Jim Jordan to Rep. Byron Donalds during the latest round of voting on the House floor today.

"We’re going to have to solve this race quickly," Buchanan said. "I’ve served with Byron, he’s a conservative champion, and I hope my colleagues will consider his name as we look for a way forward. It’s about time Florida had a seat at the table.”

In the second round of voting, Rep. Jim Jordan appears to fall short on votes keeping House leadership in limbo.

Jordan could only afford to lose four votes from Republicans in order to obtain the 217 votes necessary to win the speaker's gavel. He's already lost four votes.

Remember: Members can change their votes up until the vote concludes.

Reps. Ken Buck and Vern Buchanan voted against Jim Jordan in the second round of voting to elect a speaker.

Buchanan voted for Rep. Byron Donalds, while Buck voted for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer.

The House is now starting its second round of voting to elect a speaker.

The GOP has nominated Rep. Jim Jordan and the Democrats have nominated House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for speaker.

Jordan was unable to secure the gavel on the first vote. The conservative Republican could only afford to lose three votes from members of his party during the vote if all Democrats were present. He earned 200 votes, while Jeffries won 212. Another 20 fellow Republicans voted against Jordan.

Voting will be done verbally with members called by name alphabetically and then stating their choice for speaker. Members can also choose to vote present. If a member doesn’t vote, they will get a chance to vote at the end of the roll call. 

Remember: Members can change their vote until the gavel comes down.