In two votes, the ultraconservative provocateur Rep. Jim Jordan failed to convince enough fellow Republicans that he is worthy of becoming House speaker. They’re right to resist his elevation. His allies pushed anti-Jordan holdouts to cave by emphasizing the need for stability, but he has been a force for instability his entire congressional career.
Mr. Jordan (Ohio) coordinated closely with President Donald Trump to try to overturn the 2020 election. He never demonstrated seriousness about governing: When Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) noted during a Tuesday floor speech that Mr. Jordan, a co-founder of the Freedom Caucus, hasn’t passed a single piece of legislation during his 16 years in Congress, Mr. Jordan’s fans in the chamber applauded as if that’s something to celebrate. When Mr. Aguilar noted later that Mr. Jordan introduced a bill to ban abortion nationwide, a smattering of the same Republicans cheered.
It’s possible that Mr. Jordan could prevail on the holdouts in future ballots, pointing out that the House remains without a speaker, preventing Congress from acting on Ukraine aid, an Israel package, border measures or the federal budget, funding for which runs out next month. But his pressure campaign against anti-Jordan Republicans, which is being assisted by the right-wing media, cemented some lawmakers into their position. If just five Republicans stay firm against Mr. Jordan, of the 22 who broke with him on the second ballot, he cannot become speaker. This seems increasingly likely.
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Fortunately, there is a sensible alternative on the table that would give House Republicans time to regroup and find a more suitable long-term leader, without ignoring the nation’s business. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) is circulating a resolution that would temporarily expand the powers of Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick T. McHenry (R-N.C.) until Nov. 17, when the government will shut down absent congressional action, or until a new speaker is elected. Former House speakers John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) endorse this idea.
Follow this authorEditorial Board's opinionsMr. McHenry, the chairman of the Financial Services Committee, is well respected by all factions of the GOP conference. The bowtie-wearing 47-year-old has shown respect for the institution and increasing seriousness since first being elected in 2004 as a 29-year-old. Crucially, on Jan. 6, 2021, he voted to accept the results of the 2020 election when the majority of House Republicans sought to disenfranchise the people of Arizona and Pennsylvania.
But it is unclear exactly how much authority Mr. McHenry currently has to oversee the House’s operations. Mr. Kelly’s resolution would expand Mr. McHenry’s powers by temporarily declaring him the “elected” speaker pro tem rather than the “designated” one. This would empower him to begin negotiations with the White House on an emergency aid package and to avert a shutdown. It might also allow him to join sensitive intelligence briefings for the “Gang of Eight” congressional leaders.
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Mr. Jordan’s allies present a false choice to Republicans, arguing that a temporary Speaker McHenry, rather than a permanent Speaker Jordan, would mean caving to the left. But Mr. Kelly’s resolution would not require Republicans to bring Democrats into a governing coalition, which House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) proposed in a Post op-ed. Instead, it would restore some semblance of functionality as Republicans get their own house in order. Mr. McHenry could direct fellow GOP committee chairs to advance appropriations bills and a supplemental funding package to help Israel and Ukraine in their hours of need. And he could bring them to the floor for an up-or-down vote.
For their part, many House Democrats want to hold out for significant concessions from Republicans, such as additional seats on key committees, before supporting Mr. Kelly’s plan, which at least some Democrats would need to support for it to pass. But if they can stop Mr. Jordan from becoming speaker, they should take that win. Democrats should vote to make Mr. McHenry the interim speaker if they can secure a promise that he will negotiate in good faith to fund the government beyond next month and advance other proposals with wide bipartisan support. In the process, they would sideline the ultraright Republicans who have thrown the House into chaos, by making irrelevant their votes on who should lead the chamber.
Governing by continuing resolution is not ideal in a dangerous world that requires planning for more than just a few months at a time. But keeping Mr. McHenry on for an additional month, or year, is not just better than Mr. Jordan becoming speaker. It’s also a step toward restoring a semblance of regular order and functionality. The time has come for the House to get back to work.
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