According to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), House Republicans are engaging in “informal” talks with Democrats regarding support for the next speaker — a position that has now been vacant for two weeks.
“When we get back to Washington tomorrow, it’s important to begin to formalize those discussions,” Jeffries told NBC News’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
(Video: YouTube)
He called for an end to the “civil war” that is creating chaos among Republicans.
“House Republicans have been focused on fighting each other. It’s time to end the Republican civil war so we can get back to doing the business of the American people,” he said. “And we as House Democrats are committed to finding that bipartisan path forward in a meaningful way.”
As BizPac Review reported, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) blasted Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and “a few” fellow Republicans on Saturday for suggesting they “would rather work with Democrats” than elect Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as Speaker of the House.
Sen. Lee slams Mike Rogers, moderate Republicans exploring deal with Dems on next speaker https://t.co/tETa6iKj5U via @BIZPACReview
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) October 15, 2023
Jordan, in a closed-door vote, was nominated for the speaker position by 124 House Republicans on Friday. He needs a total of 217 votes to take the gavel, and 81 members of the GOP voted for Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.).
The Republicans then went home for the weekend.
“It’s outrageous that Jim Jordan has been nominated by the party, has the support of [ousted Speaker Kevin] McCarthy and [speaker pro tempore Patrick] McHenry, and yet Mike Rogers and a few House Republicans would rather work with Democrats,” Lee wrote on X.
“If you’re a House Republican,” he urged the lawmakers, “please vote for Jim Jordan—not [Democratic Minority Leader] Hakeem Jeffries.”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) called for unity within the party.
“Some Republicans want to cut a deal with Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries to elect a Speaker,” he stated on Sunday. “With Democrats controlling the White House and the Senate, we must not give up control of the House. Republicans should unite behind Jim Jordan as our Speaker of the House!”
Some Republicans want to cut a deal with Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries to elect a Speaker.
With Democrats controlling the White House and the Senate, we must not give up control of the House.
Republicans should unite behind Jim Jordan as our Speaker of the House!
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) October 15, 2023
“The differences between Republicans and Democrats in the House far outweigh our differences in the Republican Conference,” Jordan stated on Sunday. “This country and the GOP Conference cannot afford us attacking each other. It’s time to get to work.”
The differences between Republicans and Democrats in the House far outweigh our differences in the Republican Conference.
This country and the GOP Conference cannot afford us attacking each other.
It’s time to get to work.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) October 15, 2023
According to Jeffries, the Democrats haven’t found a Republican candidate they can get behind.
“We have not identified any candidate on the other side of the aisle because our focus is not on the individual,” he said. “It’s on the institution of Congress and the best interests of the American people, which is why what we’ve suggested is that we reevaluate the rules that are currently in place to facilitate bipartisan cooperation and to eliminate division.”
However, if Jeffries harbors any dreams of taking the gavel for himself, he may be disappointed.
It seems Rep. Rogers has had a change of heart.
“[Jim Jordan] and I have had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the past two days,” Rogers wrote on X on Monday morning. “We agreed on the need for Congress to pass a strong NDAA, appropriations to fund our government’s vital functions, and other important legislation like the Farm Bill.”
“As a result, I have decided to support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House on the floor,” he continued. “Since I was first elected to the House, I have always been a team player and supported what the majority of the Republican Conference agrees to. Together, our Republican majority will be stronger to fight Joe Biden’s reckless agenda for America.”
As a result, I have decided to support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House on the floor. (2/3)
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) October 16, 2023
Since I was first elected to the House, I have always been a team player and supported what the majority of the Republican Conference agrees to. Together, our Republican majority will be stronger to fight Joe Biden’s reckless agenda for America. (3/3)
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) October 16, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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