Jordan Abandons Third Speaker Ballot, Backs McHenry As Interim Speaker

Reports from Congress indicate that Republicans are increasingly supportive of a move to elevate Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) as interim speaker with increased power to move legislation. Installing McHenry would significantly lower the risk of a government shutdown on November 17.

• Wires reporting that Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) has called off a third ballot on his candidacy today and has thrown his support behind empowering McHenry.
• Rep David Joyce (R-OH) is expected to propose his bill to empower McHenry at a Republican conference meeting which got underway a short time ago.
• Grace Segers at New Republic reports: "Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick to me this morning: "We all know where this always was going to land, with Speaker Pro Tem McHenry being empowered on a short term basis." He guessed this would happen in "the next 48 hours.""
• Jordan's backing may help ease the passage of the resolution with conservatives who yesterday criticised the proposition as unconstitutional.