The latest on the House speaker fight
- Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is no longer the GOP's speaker nominee. A secret ballot taken in the House caucus this afternoon had 112 ballots cast against him and 86 in favor, sources told NBC News.
- After Jordan's exit, several candidates emerged. At least five lawmakers have announced bids, including Reps. Austin Scott, of Georgia, and Byron Donalds, of Florida. While several others, such as Texas Reps. Jodey Arrington and Roger Williams, are mulling a run.
- Jordan bled support for his candidacy between the first and second rounds of voting this week. His nearly 90-minute meeting yesterday afternoon with 22 Republicans who have voted against him ended with little to no apparent progress.
- The House standstill began after Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida led a small cadre of conservatives in ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as speaker this month.
- The impasse has stymied emergency funding for Israel and Ukraine. President Joe Biden's administration submitted a request for funding, including defense aid to Ukraine, today.
No women have launched a bid for speaker after McCarthy's ousting
After McCarthy was voted out as speaker earlier this month, all of the lawmakers seeking to replace him have been men.
More than half a dozen Republican men have launched or are considering a speaker bid, but no women.
Rep. Kay Granger and former Rep. Candice Miller each received one vote in Wednesday's roll call, but neither is a declared candidate.
GOP to hold speaker candidate forum Monday, vote Tuesday
McHenry announced that there would be a new GOP speaker candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. on Monday evening followed by an internal conference vote at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
He said the goal is to move to a floor vote as soon as Tuesday.
Jordan expresses gratitude for GOP members after pulling out of speaker’s race
As Jordan was leaving the GOP conference this afternoon, he told reporters that he “appreciated getting to work with everyone” and expressed urgency to unite the party and find a speaker.
“We need to come together and figure out who our speaker is going to be. Going to work as hard as I can to help that individual," Jordan said.
"I’m also going to get back to work," he added. "We've got several depositions lined up next week and work that we need to do for the American people."
Rep. Pete Sessions announces speakership candidacy
Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas is now in the running for speaker.
“Congressman Sessions believes he can forge a positive path as a conservative leader who can unite the Conference. During his congressional career, he has played a vital role in the Republican Party, in Texas and nationally, including a decade in Party leadership,” Sessions wrote in a statement posted on X.
McCarthy backs Emmer
Kevin McCarthy is backing Emmer's bid for speaker.
“He is the right person for the job," McCarthy said. "He can unite the conference. He understands the dynamics of the conference. He also understands what it takes to win and keep a majority."
Byron Donalds, who challenged McCarthy, running for speaker
Rep. Byron Donalds is running for speaker, his spokesperson confirmed.
In January, over a dozen conservative opponents of Kevin McCarthy voted for Donalds, then a little-known conservative, during the first few rounds of voting, temporarily thwarting McCarthy's bid.
Michigan Rep. Jack Bergman says he's running for speaker
Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., has thrown his hat in the ring, joining a growing list of Republicans who are running for speaker after the party dropped Jordan as its nominee.
"I feel confident I can win the votes where others could not. I have no special interests to serve; I’m only in this to do what’s best for our Nation and to steady the ship for the 118th Congress," Bergman said in a statement.
"What we need right now is a Speaker who has experience leading and can put ego aside to work together for the American people. We need a leader who shuns permanent power and recognizes the current crisis of leadership. I’m ready to serve. Together we can end the deadlock, and win the vote," he added.
Rep. Mike Johnson also considering running for speaker
GOP Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson, R-La., is “making calls” about a potential speaker bid, a source close to Johnson says.
Emmer calling fellow Republicans about a speaker bid
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., has begun making calls about a speaker bid, according to two sources familiar.
Texas Reps. Jodey Arrington and Roger Williams are considering speaker bids
Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, told reporters that he’s considering a bid for speaker. He was heard on the phone talking to his wife about his prospects. “What do you think, honey?” he asked his wife.
Arrington said Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, is also contemplating running for speaker. Texas' congressional delegation is the largest among Republicans and the group met Friday morning.
Arrington said it would be a “family discussion” about what is the best path forward.
“It shouldn’t be presumed that anybody in Texas is going to run at this point until we talk as a family of Texans,” Arrington added.