House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan gained the support of several of his skeptical colleagues Monday in his run for the speakership.
Jordan (R-OH) was able to grow his support one day ahead of a planned House floor vote for speaker, gaining endorsements from several members of his party whose votes were uncertain: House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), House Appropriations Defense subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA), Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), and Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA).
“[Rep Jordan] and I have had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the past two days,” Rogers posted on X, formerly Twitter. “We agreed on the need for Congress to pass a strong NDAA, appropriations to fund our government’s vital functions, and other important legislation like the Farm Bill.”
Jordan won an internal GOP vote Friday for speaker against challenger Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), 124-81. However, a later internal poll of Republican representatives indicated he did not have the support needed for a successful vote on the House floor. GOP leadership declined to call a House floor vote Friday, giving Jordan the weekend to continue negotiations.
Jordan called a House floor vote for speaker for noon EST Tuesday.
“I think the only way to do this, the way the Founders intended, is you … have to vote tomorrow,” Jordan told CNN. “I feel good about it.”
The vote will be the 17th call this Congress to remove or install a speaker. This came after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy struggled at first to gain a majority vote in January, then was removed from the position in a vote this month.
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) won an internal party vote for speaker last week but failed to gain a consensus in the party, so he dropped out. He beat Jordan in the vote.
Jordan made progress Monday in rallying support for his speaker bid as he took individual meetings with members, according to PunchBowl.
“Jim Jordan and I spoke at length again this morning, and he has allayed my concerns about keeping the government open with conservative funding, the need for strong border security, our need for consistent international support in times of war and unrest, as well as the need for stronger protections against the scourge of human trafficking and child exploitation,” Wagner posted on X. “Jim Jordan is our conference nominee, and I will support his nomination for Speaker on the House floor.”
“After having a conversation with Jim Jordan about how we must get the House back on a path to achieve our national security and appropriations goals, I will be supporting him for Speaker on the floor,” Calvert wrote on X.
Jordan sent a “Dear Colleague” letter Monday to House Republicans urging them to get behind his speakership bid.
“The role of a Speaker is to bring all Republicans together,” Jordan wrote. “That’s what I intend to do.”