House Republicans are set to vote today on a new Speaker (Groundhog Day anyone?) later today, and Jim Jordan is poised to take the helm and steer the populist movement to the forefront of Congress.
But much like the original holdouts that prevented Steve Scalise from being Speaker, there are a handful of representatives that are adamant against giving the co-founder of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus the gavel.
Still Say Nay
Social media conservative influencer, Rogan O’Handley, a lawyer in Florida and an outspoken Trump supporter, listed the eight names of who he calls the RINO members (Republican In Name Only) in the House blocking a Jordan victory. “DC Draino” as he’s known, said some “GOP holdouts are complaining about the ‘grassroots pressure’ on them to vote for Jim Jordan” in an Instagram post today.
“To that I say,” he continued, “1. Get used to it – America First has taken over. 2.Tread carefully – This was us being nice. If you backstab us, just ask Bud Light what happens.”
“Today, October 17th, is the day we elect Jim Jordan as Speaker. And if we don’t then we primary the RINOs that thwart the will of the voters.”
Jim Jordan Wins Over Holdouts
Still, Jordan gained significant ground yesterday in converting some non-believers to his side. Last week, Rep. Mike Rogers (R., Ala.), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee told reporters that there was no action that Jordan could take that would win his support.
Monday, Rogers said he would back him, citing “thoughtful and productive” conversations they had about pending legislation on military policy, spending levels and farm policy.
Although she previously calling Jordan a “nonstarter,” Rep. Ann Wagner (R., Mo.), said she would back Jordan after he “allayed my concerns about keeping the government open.”
Like it or not, this is how the game is played in Washington, D.C. You give me a little of what I want to make my constituents happy and you’ll get my vote. You promise me this, I promise you that. Call it compromise, call it back-alley deals, call it how the sausage gets made, call it whatever you want. It’s how things get done in government and it’s nothing new. It’s a practice as old as time, dating back to the Founding Fathers like Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton.
Right Place, Right Time
If Jordan cinches the vote in the House, it may be more an issue of “right place, right time” than an overwhelming approval of his bullish style of leadership.
After 15 votes to secure McCarthy’s spot as Speaker in January, his subsequent ousting earlier this month, a failed candidate in Scalise, and a world on fire, Republicans are tired of the chaos and desperate for a solution.
It’s like parents with a child throwing a consistent temper tantrum. Eventually, they cave.
Lawmakers are eager to get to work on an aid package for Israel and put an end to the gridlock in Congress.
Despite what skeptics say about Jordan and his willingness to reach across the aisle, he is confident in his ability to unify his party and get things done.
“I think we can unite the conference,” Jordan said Friday morning before the vote. “I’ve been saying this for a week, I think I’m one individual who can bring our team together and then help our team go tell the country what we’re doing and why it matters to them.”
Jennifer Galardi is the politics and culture editor and opinion writer for 19FortyFive.com. She has a Master’s in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and produces and hosts the podcast Connection with conversations that address health, culture, politics, and policy. In a previous life, she wrote for publications in the health, fitness, and nutrition space. In addition, her pieces have been published in the Epoch Times and Pepperdine Policy Review. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
