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Live coverage: Jordan loses secret ballot in GOP conference meeting. He's out!

by Joan McCarter for Daily Kos Liveblogs

Daily Kos Staff

Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 at 6:54:25am PDT

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 20: U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), the Republican Speaker designee, holds a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on October 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is expected to hold another vote for Speaker of the House after Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) failed to secure the votes needed to become Speaker in the previous attempts. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) — Well, that's inspiring.

Rep. Jim Jordan is a man with a plan. A plan to torture his colleagues into submission by forcing them to vote against him again and again all weekend long, according to some accounts. He didn’t lay out an alternative in this morning’s pointless press conference, so we’ll assume that’s where we’re starting today. At least one Republican, Jordan supporter and Senate page abuser Rep. Derrick Van Orden is out, on his way to Israel to yell at people there. That makes Jordan’s quest even harder and more absurd, but that’s your GOP, America. Stay with us for the ride.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 6:35:49 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

MCHENRY said he scheduled a candidate forum for Monday and internal party election Tuesday. A floor vote likely Tuesday as well.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 20, 2023

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 6:27:10 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Remember that in the initial conference vote that elevated Jordan, he defeated Scott, 124-81. That was when Scott jumped in with a few hours notice because someone needed to challenge him—81 votes for some dude. In today's secret ballot, Jordan lost an additional 38 votes. They all get brave when they get to vote in secret. Jordan probably lost a chunk of them by threatening to make them spend their weekend there, voting.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 6:22:42 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

The House hasn’t gaveled out, but they’re done for the week. There will be no more votes. So far a handful of Republicans say they're going to run for speaker: Kevin Hern, Jack Bergman, Austin Scott. They will have until Sunday to declare, and there will be a candidate forum on Monday.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 6:10:24 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Good lord these people.

“The deep state won,” Rep. Norman said after Jordan lost
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) October 20, 2023

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 6:04:33 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

According to PBS reporter Lisa Desjardins, the vote was 86 for Jordan, 112 against. Ouch.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 6:01:36 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Jordan just lost the secret ballot. Like, lost. No majority. He’s out.

Margin was large, sources tell me.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 20, 2023

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 5:55:05 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

This just might be a sign of movement away from Jordan by the powers that be: McHenry is now open to having a formal vote to elect him as temporary speaker, giving him the authority to do something besides preside over speaker votes. There’s been plenty of arguments—including from McCarthy—that he doesn’t need to be elected to do more, but (credit where due) McHenry wants the role codified.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 5:33:55 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

There at the secret ballot voting stage in the GOP meeting. So that was just a half hour of lobbying on Jordan’s part.

Rep. Meuser says this vote on reaffirming Jordan as speaker nominee is by secret ballot with three options:
Yes, No and Present

No option to write in another name.

Will know soon, he says.
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) October 20, 2023

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 5:07:58 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

The “Gaetz 8” letter (which is only 7 because Ken Buck isn’t doing that) isn’t doing the trick. “The only answer at this point is for Jim Jordan to step down as designee. We need to clean the slate and nominate a leader that can win 217,” Rep. Don Bacon told Politico’s Olivia Beavers.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 4:49:26 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Fun facts time!

Jordan just tied the record for the fewest number of votes for a majority nominee since the House was set at 435 members. The last person to get 194 votes as majority nominee was Frederick Gillett in 1923 on his second ballot. It took him nine ballots to win.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 4:39:36 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Also, big time Jordan supporter Troy Nehls of Texas says he’s going to vote for Trump in the next round because Jordan “does not have the votes.”

It’s possible, just possible, that losing three more people instead of gaining any of the NYers over the SALT tax thing, and statements from people like Nehls, will make Jordan finally give it up. Maybe.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 4:35:05 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

This doesn’t help anything, but duly noted anyway.

NEW: The Gaetz 8 have sent a letter to colleagues saying they’re willing to accept whatever punishment — censure, getting kicked out of conference/committees — if it means holdouts will back Jordan. Basically offering themselves as tribute in last-ditch attempt to help Jordan.
— Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) October 20, 2023

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 4:08:15 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

It’s official: Out of 429 votes, Jordan got 194 and Jeffries got 210. McHenry got 6, Donalds 2, Emmer 1, Zeldin 4, Scalise 8, Garcia 1, McCarthy 2, Westerman 1.

A speaker has not been elected and they go into recess. There is going to be another GOP conference meeting at 1:00 ET.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 4:06:03 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Florida Man Greg Steube has a motion to vacate the temporary speaker, McHenry, for some reason. Dems probably wouldn’t go along with that.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:58:51 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Jordan, before the voting. 194 is less than 200. And of course Jeffries has 210 (two Dems out today).

Jordan walking into his office: "We've got to get a speaker that's what I'm focused on. Fastest way to do that is the man who has 200 votes."
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 20, 2023

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:54:33 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Three flips against Jordan—Fitzpatrick, Kean, and Molinaro. All three are in the Biden 18. Spartz said that she was going to give Jordan one more vote, and that was it. The next round might reach 30. If there’s a next round. Which there probably will be.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:49:18 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Womack makes it 25 against Jordan.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:44:29 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Stauber makes it 24.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:43:20 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Simpson makes it 23 Rs against Jordan.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:41:32 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Rutherford makes it 22 against Jordan. He’s gonna get a personal worst on this vote.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:35:40 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Miller Meeks, one of the members who’s received death threats, votes against Jordan. Molinaro of NY flips against Jordan. He’s down 21.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:34:13 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

McCarthy got no applause this time when he voted.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:31:47 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Lawler (NY) makes it 19. When the opposition said they weren’t breaking, they meant it.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:30:41 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

LaLota makes it 18.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:29:59 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Kean of NJ flips against Jordan. With Kelly and Kiggan, he’s down 17.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:28:21 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Moment of levity as Issa surprises everyone by voting from the far side of Democrats bloc. And James once again defects from Jordan, making his loss on this round official.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:23:18 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

And Granger a baker’s dozen against him.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:22:51 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Tony Gonzales makes it a dozen against Jordan.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:21:48 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Ferguson and Garbarino (another NYer) make it 11 Rs against Jordan.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:19:52 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Jordan loses Fitzpatrick of PA, a flip. Now he’s down 9.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:18:24 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Ellzey again votes for Mike Garcia. Make that 7 against Jordan.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:17:53 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

D’Esposito and Diaz-Bilart add two more anti-Jordan votes. Now 6 down. Unless a whole bunch vote present, it’s lost. Again.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:14:19 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Oregon’s Chavez-DeRemer votes for McHenry.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:11:19 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Vern Buchanan votes for Donalds, and Ken Buck for Emmer making it 3 down for Jordan.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:10:03 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

So Jordan lost one of those NY votes. Oh well.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:08:44 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

And we’re voting. Pity the poor clerks who will have to keep doing this. Rep. Don Bacon, NE, the first anti-Jordan GOP vote.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:05:16 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Scalise is sitting apart from leadership, “huddling moments ago with allies Reps. Steve Womack and Vern Buchanan,” who are also Jordan opponents. Scalise really should vote against him.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:04:17 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Clark talks about Jordan's real record, trying to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—pointing out that Rs used that as a highlight of his career in a nominating speech, and that he had never voted for a Farm Bill. Talks about his support for a national abortion ban and his election denying.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 3:01:37 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Dem Whip Katherine Clark making nominating speech for Jeffries, repeating “212” — the unanimous vote over what, 18 roll call votes so far?, for Jeffries.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 2:58:21 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

McCarthy is giving Jordan the most disgusting tongue bath imaginable, which really has to be pissing off Steve Scalise, for whom McCarthy didn’t even do the bare minimum. It’d serve them right if Scalise voted for anyone but Jordan,

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 2:54:12 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

This nominating speech from McCarthy demonstrates exactly why Democrats never trusted him. He just stands there and lies. This speech is not about Jordan, it’s about trashing Democrats.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 2:52:10 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Ok, quorum done. There are 427 members in the House, which puts the threshold at 214. There are 3 Republicans out--Hunt, Adam Smith, Van Orden. All were Jordan voters.

McCarthy is nominating Jordan, trolling about how Jordan is a legislator. He’s being as obnoxious as possible toward Democrats.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 2:47:37 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Jordan might pick up a few NY members with a promise on their obsession—the SALT (state and local tax)—issue. That was a cut in the federal deduction for those taxes in the Trump Tax Scam bill that was intended to punish Democrats in NY and CA and other places with high property taxes.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 2:41:11 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

He doesn’t care.

I just asked Rep Jim Jordan if he could do more to tamp down the threats his colleagues are suffering.

He said “There's no place for that.. we're totally against that.”

He then added….. “If constituents want to call and talk to their member, that's the first amendment”
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 20, 2023

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 2:33:03 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Senior House GOP member who has voted for Jordan on Jordan’s repeated failed votes: “He’s starting to wear a little thin. Maybe worn out his welcome.”
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 20, 2023

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 2:24:04 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

It’s going to be a battle of wills today. The opposition doesn’t look like it’s going to break any time soon, and will likely grow with each vote. But nothing will impel any Republican do the thing that will save the House—let Jeffries win it.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 2:11:09 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

“We recognize that Jim Jordan is a clear and present danger to the American people, and we are gonna be here for as long as it takes to end this national nightmare.”

— Minority Leader Jeffries, when asked if Dems will work through the weekend to oppose Jordan in Speaker votes pic.twitter.com/tUVwfcAZjJ
— The Recount (@therecount) October 20, 2023

UPDATE: Friday, Oct 20, 2023 · 2:09:49 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Prayer and pledge done, and now they’re moving to the roll call. That will tell us what the vote threshold—which Jordan is not going to reach—will be.