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| Jim Jordan(right) is expected to back Patrick McHenry(left) as interim speaker Getty images |
Jim Jordan is poised to announce that he will not pursue a third attempt to become Speaker of the US House of Representatives,for now, as Republicans explore an interim solution.
The staunchly Trump-backed right-wing lawmaker is expected to support a plan that grants acting Speaker Patrick McHenry the authority to oversee the House's proceedings for a period of one month or more.
Mr. Jordan recently suffered decisive defeats in votes held in the chamber on Tuesday and Wednesday. As a result, the lower chamber of Congress has remained leaderless for the past 16 days.
The absence of a Speaker has left the House unable to pass legislation or address critical matters, including a pending White House request for aid to both Israel and Ukraine.
In the wake of the unprecedented vote to remove Kevin McCarthy earlier this month, he appointed Patrick McHenry, a key ally, as the interim Speaker.
Members from both sides of the aisle have contemplated the possibility of expanding McHenry's powers to enable him to preside over critical legislative issues.
However, the success of such a plan remains uncertain, as several Republicans have already expressed opposition to it.
Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene confirmed Jim Jordan's decision to support this proposal, describing it as "the most disappointing thing." She added, "He wants to do that while he continues talking to people and finding a path. I completely disagree."
Matt Gaetz, the Florida congressman who led the effort to remove Kevin McCarthy, criticized the temporary appointment of McHenry, labeling it a "constitutional desecration."
He argued that the House should remain in session until a Speaker is elected, and if one candidate cannot secure enough votes, they should move on to the next.
Conservative Indiana lawmaker Jim Banks predicted that approximately half of the party would vote against the measure, deeming it a betrayal of Republican voters.
As acting Speaker, Patrick McHenry has adhered to a limited interpretation of his powers, focusing on overseeing floor votes and the permanent Speaker vote. However, legal experts contend that, as long as a majority of the chamber supports expanding his authority, the House can continue to function relatively normally.
This expansion could potentially empower McHenry to shepherd critical legislation through, averting a government shutdown next month and facilitating the approval of urgent aid packages for Israel and Ukraine.
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