Republicans Appear No Closer To Electing  A Speaker

It has been 13 days since the ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and the chamber appears no closer to electing his successor. Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) is the presumptive frontrunner but deep divisions within the party makes his appointment far from assured.

• Punchbowl News reported yesterday that Jordan is pushing for a floor vote Tuesday but the situation remains fluid.
• An internal vote on Friday saw 55 Republicans vote in opposition to Jordan. Jordan believes he has since shrunk that deficit but it is difficult to see him winning sufficient support with moderates. Remember, Jordan can only drop around four votes (depending on attendance).
• Should Jordan fail to garner support behind closed doors, a floor vote may be considered too risky and compel GOP leadership to restart the search for a candidate. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), Vice Chair of the House Republican conference and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-IN) have been floated.
• With a government shutdown looming and critical legislation pending, Democrats and moderate Republicans may look to empower Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) to perform more duties or forward a plan for bipartisan speaker.
• WaPo reports: “There are many conversations happening, but most of the talk is at the rank-and-file level.” Democrats would, of course, require significant concessions if they were to bail Republicans out - a difficult ask for Republicans ahead of a key election year.