Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) secured a pivotal endorsement from a high-powered Republican as he works to gather enough votes to be elected the next Speaker of the House.
House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) announced on Monday that he would support Jordan, a significant development as Rogers had reportedly declared last week that he could not be swayed to back Jordan.
Jordan “and I have had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the past two days. We agreed on the need for Congress to pass a strong NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act], appropriations to fund our government’s vital functions, and other important legislation like the Farm Bill,” Rogers said in a post to X.
.@Jim_Jordan and I have had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the past two days. 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. (1/3)
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) October 16, 2023
“As a result, I have decided to support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House on the floor,” Rogers continued, adding, “Since I was first elected to the House, I have always been a team player and supported what the majority of the Republican Conference agrees to. Together, our Republican majority will be stronger to fight [President] Joe Biden’s reckless agenda for America.”
Jordan thanked Rogers for his endorsement.
“Your leadership is just what our Conference needs right now,” Jordan added. “We must all keep coming together and get back to work.”
Jordan, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, won the GOP nomination in his second try on Friday. He defeated Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) in a 124-81 Republican conference vote. In a second secret ballot asking members if they would support Jordan in a House floor vote, Republicans voted 152-55.
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Like the party’s first nominee who dropped out last week, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Jordan faces a challenge in mustering enough support to get a simple majority to secure victory in a chamber-wide vote for speaker.
Democrats are pushing for a coalition to elect a new speaker, which Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) suggested would include rules changes “to facilitate bipartisanship,” but Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman said Jordan scoring a “massive” endorsement from Rogers indicates that the Ohio Republican could be well on his way to winning the gavel with only GOP votes.
“Mike Rogers’ endorsement brings to the surface a very important dynamic in this speaker race: If Jordan is within striking distance of winning — 10 or so away — it’s his to lose. It will be tough to stand in the way of his speakership then,” Sherman added. “If he’s 30 away, it’s a totally different ballgame.”
The House is expected to vote for speaker as early as Tuesday, which would be two weeks after eight Republicans joined with Democrats in voting to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from the role. McCarthy said he is now supporting Jordan. Former President Donald Trump has also endorsed Jordan for speaker.
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) is serving as speaker pro tempore in the short term.