Washington [US], October 19: Opponents of US House of Congress Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan's bid for the speaker's gavel gained backing on Wednesday, once again denying Jordan the gavel on the floor and with a slightly bigger margin than a day earlier.
The number of Jordan's detractors grew on the second ballot, with 22 Republicans voting against him, up from 20. Both Jordan's allies and detractors predicted before the vote that he would lose support. His vote total fell from 200 on Tuesday to 199 on Wednesday.
Democrats remained united behind Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who got 212 votes - while failing to win a majority of all votes cast.
Some Republicans are now calling to give Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry expanded powers so the House can get back to work.
Representative David Joyce is aiming to introduce a resolution granting McHenry extended powers, a source familiar with the plans said Wednesday morning.
"After two weeks without a speaker of the House and no clear candidate with 217 votes in the Republican conference, it is time to look at other viable options," representative David Joyce said. "By empowering Patrick McHenry as speaker pro tempore, we can take care of our ally Israel until a new speaker is elected."
Before the vote, Jordan maintained he was the best option though his path to the gavel looked murkier as his opposition dug in.
"Look, I think we got to decide today we're gonna have a Republican speaker," Jordan said. "Let's get an answer. We've been at this two weeks. The American people deserve to have their governmentfunctioning."
The vote on Joyce's resolution could come up on Wednesday. It wasn't clear such a measure could be adopted without Democratic votes, however, with some of Jordan's backers and outside groups pushing against it as likely to empower Democrats.
Source: Qatar Tribune