Speaker chaos in the USA

Jim Jordan loses re-poll - not giving up 

For the second time in two days, Republican Jim Jordan has lost a vote to be appointed speaker of the US House of Representatives, reports Reuters.  

 

Trump supporter Jordan is widely described as hard-nosed, but urging unity ahead of the vote within the Republican Party. 

 

"We must stop attacking each other and unite," he wrote on social media. 

 

Jordan now says he will make a third attempt to get elected.  

 

Without a regular Speaker, Congress is unable to make important decisions.

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Analysis: This is why Republicans are turning their backs on Jordan  

That the Republicans' main candidate for the post of speaker, Jim Jordan, failed to gather enough support in Tuesday's vote is a clear indication that the divided party is stuck in a severe crisis, writes the New York Times' Carl Hulse in an analysis.  

 

Some of the people who voted for other options are still upset about how former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted, Hulse writes — while others think Republican Steve Scalise is a much better option than the Trump-backed Jordan. Some even argue that Jordan could hamper the democratic processes in the House of Representatives.  

 

In National Review, Audrey Fahlberg wonders if Jordan might fare better in a second ballot. She writes that there are several other Republicans — and Democrats — waiting to claim the post. 

 

"It is worth remembering that the candidate with the most votes was the Democrats' Hakeem Jeffries," she writes.  

 

Jim Jordan received 200 votes in Tuesday's vote while Hakeem Jeffries received 212. To be elected Speaker, 217 votes are required.