The House of Representatives continues to be without a permanent speaker, resulting in a paralyzed chamber. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) lost in consecutive rounds of voting for the speakership, prolonging the process of selecting a new speaker. In the most recent vote, Jordan received 199 votes, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) received 212 votes. With neither nominee receiving enough support to win, the House will continue voting for a permanent speaker.
The absence of a permanent speaker has halted regular House business, including voting on foreign funding for Ukraine and an emergency aid package for Israel. It has also jeopardized efforts to avert a government shutdown. Acting Speaker Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) has limited power to bring legislation to the floor until a permanent successor is chosen. Some House Democrats and moderate Republicans have pushed for a short-term expansion of McHenry's authority as speaker pro tempore to move forward with important votes and prevent a shutdown.
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) plans to file a motion to expand McHenry's authority, potentially allowing the House to pass measures related to the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, and federal government funding. If Congress does not take action to fund the government, a shutdown is set to begin on November 17.
The ongoing speaker election and the infighting within the GOP have drawn criticism from Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), among others. Bacon and Buck refused to vote for Jordan due to his refusal to reject former President Donald Trump's baseless claim that he won the 2020 election.
The speaker election process has been marked by turmoil and division within the Republican Party. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted earlier this month, and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) led a group of far-right House Republicans in forcing McCarthy out of the speakership. Jordan and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) were subsequently nominated for the speakership, with Jordan ultimately coming out victorious.
Overall, the House of Representatives remains in a state of uncertainty as it continues to search for a permanent speaker. The ongoing speaker election has disrupted regular House business and threatens to impede important legislative measures and government funding.