Jim Jordan faces last-minute disaster as Republicans mull 'informal talks' with Democrats
Congress has been thrown into chaos following the ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Nominee Jim Jordan could be facing disaster as Republicans eye talks with Democrats.
Congressman Matt Gaetz files motion
Top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries confirmed informal talks are underway with Republicans to find a bipartisan solution to the House Speaker crisis - a move which could unravel Jim Jordan’s bid for the top job.
Kevin McCarthy was ousted by a handful of Republicans who are now searching for his replacement.
Ohio Republican and Donald Trump ally Jim Jordan has been nominated but it’s unclear whether he can garner the votes needed to clinch Congress’s top job.
New York Democrat Jeffries told NBC’s Meet the Press that he was anticipating talks to occur with Republicans on Monday.
He said: “It’s important to begin to formalize those discussions,” he said, but warned that Democrats want to ensure that “extremists aren’t able to dictate the agenda.
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“The current rules of the House have facilitated a handful of Republicans being able to determine what gets voted on.
“We want to ensure that votes are taken on bills that have substantial Democratic support and substantial Republican support so that the extremists aren’t able to dictate the agenda.”
The House hasn’t had a Speaker since October 5. It’s unclear how the talks would lead to an end of the chaos and Jefferies declined to say whether he would allow Democrats to vote for a Republican.
He added: “We have not identified any candidate on the other side of the aisle because our focus is not on the individual. It’s on the institution of Congress.”
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He then gave House Republicans an ultimatum: “They can either double or triple down on the chaos, dysfunction, and extremism. Or, let’s have a real conversation about changing the rules of the House so it can work in the best interests of the American people.”
The US government's funding could hinge on the Speakership election. Congress has until mid-November to vote on a bill to fund the government following a narrowly-avoided shutdown in September.
Congress secured 45-day stopgap funding which led, in part, to the vote to remove Kevin McCarthy. Only eight Republicans - and all Democrats - voted to oust McCarthy.
Jeffries said the Democratic Party was “not the party of government shutdowns” and that he was prepared to enter into an agreement with Republicans on the issue.
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