Backed by Alabama's Republican delegation, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) failed to garner enough votes to win Speaker of the House of Representatives during the first round of voting Tuesday.
Twenty Republicans voted against Jordan, who received 200 votes compared to his main opponent House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) 212 votes, which included U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham).
Sewell voted for Jeffries along with the rest of the House Democrats, having criticized Jordan for being a "MAGA extremist."
Today House Republicans have a choice.
— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) October 17, 2023
They can reject the extremism that has poisoned their party and join Democrats on a bipartisan path forward.
Or they can elect a Speaker who helped lead efforts to overturn the 2020 election and spent his career stoking chaos and division.
Other Republican lawmakers were eager to cast their vote for Jordan and get back to work.
I voted for @Jim_Jordan for Speaker. He is the conservative leader we need so we can get to work delivering results for the American people. It’s time to come together as a party, get our country back on track, and hold @JoeBiden accountable.
— Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) October 17, 2023
It's a good day to vote for @Jim_Jordan to be Speaker of the House.
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) October 17, 2023
It’s time to for the Republican party to unify and get back to work.
— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) October 17, 2023
Today I voted for @Jim_Jordan for Speaker. He is the leader we need to hold @JoeBiden accountable and deliver conservative wins for the people of North Alabama.
The next vote is expected to take place Wednesday morning.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email daniel.taylor@1819news.com.
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