Staff Reports
In a recent appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation," Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) discussed the potential scenario where Republicans may need to strike a deal with Democrats if they fail to elect a House speaker. This conversation has emerged in the aftermath of the removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) a couple of weeks ago. Turner expressed his support for Rep. Jim Jordan's (R-Ohio) candidacy for the speaker's position, believing Jordan to be an outstanding choice. However, if Jordan encounters difficulty in securing the requisite votes, there might be a need for bipartisan cooperation with Democrats.
Rep. Mike Turner tells Margaret Brennan he's unbothered by allegations Jim Jordan turned a blind eye to sexual assault and also unconcerned about Jordan's involvement in the J6 plot pic.twitter.com/TfpAedHTtq
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 15, 2023
The question of whether Jordan can garner the necessary 217 votes has sparked debate. While Republicans maintain a narrow majority in the House, concerns exist regarding the prospect of Democrats voting as a unified bloc against Jordan. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has suggested the potential for a bipartisan coalition to elect a speaker, indicating ongoing discussions between Republican and Democratic representatives. Jeffries argued that current House rules allow a small faction of Republicans to influence the legislative agenda, potentially undermining the interests of the American people.
Despite some uncertainties, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Tenn.), a public supporter of Jordan's candidacy, anticipates that Jordan will amass more support as the voting rounds progress. He expects that some lawmakers may initially cast their votes for alternative candidates, such as McCarthy or Majority Leader Steve Scalise, before eventually coalescing around Jordan. In contrast, Rep. McCarthy has expressed confidence in Jordan's prospects and criticized those Republicans who voted for his removal as speaker. He emphasized the importance of party unity and the need to steer America in the right direction.
As the Republican Party continues its quest for a new House speaker, the possibility of a deal with Democrats is under consideration. While the primary preference for Republicans is to elect a speaker from within their own ranks, the option of collaborating with Democrats is on the table. The evolving situation will determine how the House navigates this pivotal decision.
