(PartiallyPolitics.com) – U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a brief and somewhat dry response to a reporter’s question regarding Republican Representative Jim Jordan’s ongoing bid to become the House speaker. Jordan, who serves as the founding chair of the Freedom Caucus and as the current chair of the Judiciary Committee, has been a prominent critic of the Biden administration and played a key role in GOP impeachment inquiries. Despite receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, Jordan has faced challenges in gaining sufficient support from House Republicans for his speakership bid.
While aboard a flight from Tel Aviv, Biden responded to a reporter’s query about Jordan’s speakership ambitions. When asked if he had any thoughts on Jordan’s predicament, the President’s response was succinct, “I ache for him.” This remark elicited laughter from the reporters on the flight, to which Biden added, “No. Zero. None.”
The exchange was captured in a video shared on MSNBC’s Twitter.
Jordan’s pursuit of the House speakership is unfolding amidst a leadership struggle within the Republican Party. The turmoil began when conservative hardliners successfully ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy due to his negotiation of a short-term government funding deal with Democrats to avert a potential government shutdown. This political upheaval has added to the complexities faced by the House of Representatives as it deals with issues like supporting its allies in ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Jordan’s second attempt to secure the speakership faced disappointment, as he garnered only 199 votes, with 22 Republicans voting against him, two more than in his initial failed attempt the previous day. All 212 House Democrats consistently voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in both rounds.
Efforts were made to obtain comments from both President Biden and Representative Jordan, but no responses had been received at the time of the report.
Jordan’s candidacy is the Republican Party’s second choice after the removal of Kevin McCarthy, a move prompted by an extraordinary motion to vacate filed by GOP Congressman Matt Gaetz. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise also withdrew his nomination after failing to secure adequate support.
Despite the setbacks, Jordan indicated that a third vote for the speakership had been scheduled for noon on Thursday. The Ohio Republican remained confident, expressing his belief that he can still secure the gavel, despite the challenges he has faced in the two previous votes.
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