Having lost the first vote to become House speaker, Rep. Jim Jordan was losing ground Wednesday on a decisive second ballot that is testing whether the hard-edged ally of Donald Trump can win over detractors or if his bid for the gavel has collapsed.
The House gaveled in with angry, frustrated GOP lawmakers looking at other options. And as the rollcall was underway, a few new detractors emerged to oppose Jordan who did not seem to be picking up new votes beyond one lawmaker who was absent the day before.
Ahead of the morning vote, Jordan made an unexpected plea for party unity, the combative Judiciary Committee chairman telling his colleagues on social media, “We must stop attacking each other and come together.”
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