Jordan Pauses, Unpauses

Rep. Jim Jordan (R, OH-4) said yesterday he would seek a third vote for the House speakership, a decision that came hours after he said he would pause—but not abandon—his bid. The reversal reportedly comes after a number of GOP lawmakers rejected a plan to grant temporary powers to Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) while Jordan shored up support.

McHenry, currently in his 10th term in Congress, has signaled he has no interest in the position permanently. A plan to expand his powers, should it come to a floor vote, may require support from Democrats, given existing opposition from a bloc of GOP members. It is unclear when a third vote for Jordan may be scheduled. Republicans have a slim 221-212 majority—any vote, assuming no Democratic support—can only afford to lose four GOP votes.

The current impasse began Oct. 3, when former speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R, CA-20) was ousted, followed by Rep. Steve Scalise (R, LA-1) failing to secure support. The longest the House has gone without a permanent speaker was in 1856 when Rep. Nathaniel Banks was elected after 133 ballots.