GOP unsure of speaker votes, considers expanding temp speaker power

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, lost ground during the second ballot for House speaker Wednesday, Oct. 18. He received 199 votes, one shy of the 200 he received on Tuesday, Oct. 17 and 18 shy of the 217 he needs to be elected. 

It is unclear what the House of Representatives plans to do next. Even members of Congress are unsure. 

“Do you guys have predictions? What’s gonna happen? Come on, make a prediction,” Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., joked with reporters after the vote. 

While no one is certain, multiple Republicans are predicting that Jordan will lose even more votes on the third ballot. 

Since Jordan didn’t make any progress and the House is on day 15 without a speaker, a group of Republicans are considering a measure that would expand the power of temporary speaker Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. This measure would allow Congress to address pressing issues like government funding, which expires Nov. 17, and aid packages for Israel and Ukraine. 

Few members of Congress will speak about the measure or support it publicly, but they will discuss the urgency to reopen the House of Representatives. 

“If we as a conference can’t coalesce around a single singular candidate, we have to at the very least coalesce around the responsibility to govern,” Rep. Marcus Molinaro, R-N.Y., said. 

Opponents of this idea are very vocal. They contend empowering a temporary speaker would be unconstitutional. 

“I believe it is directly contrary to the Constitution in terms of saying ‘we shall choose a speaker.’ And to go appoint somebody with the full powers of the speaker without having chosen the speaker makes no sense,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, told reporters. 

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) told reporters, "it makes no sense" when asked about granting additional powers to the speaker pro tempore in order to proceed with the business of the House. He also said he will support Jordan for however long it takes. pic.twitter.com/HGHpOlh3w4

— CSPAN (@cspan) October 18, 2023

“In order to expand his powers, you’d have to work with Democrats to do that. If you’re having a compromise with Democrats, is that what the majority of our voters elected us to do?” Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., questioned. 

Some members also expressed concern that if they give a temporary speaker that kind of power once, it will become a tactic lawmakers try to utilize forever.