Jeffries blasts Jordan as ‘poster child of MAGA extremism’ after failed speaker vote, pushes bipartisan path
Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader, has criticized the GOP candidate for speaker of the House after a failed vote on Tuesday.
Jeffries spoke with reporters outside the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., after House Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan tried to get enough votes to become speaker of the House.
Jeffries attacked Jordan, R. Ohio, after his first vote for speaker failed with 20 Republican voting against him. He said the GOP nominee is “the poster child of MAGA extremeism” as well as “not one” respected Republican among the House Democrats.
Jeffries stated that he was in “informal discussions” with some Republicans but refused to elaborate.
|
Jeffries expressed his hope that the conversation would accelerate tonight, after it became clear that Jim Jordan lacked the votes required to be Speaker.
Jeffries said “House Democrats” have “made it clear” that they are “ready and willing to find a bipartisan consensus on any issue to make a positive difference in the everyday lives of Americans.”
He said, “It is time to leave the sidelines and break away from extremists.” “Get into the arena so that we can find a path forward which is bipartisan.”
Jeffries said that “Republicans cannot function independently right now” and there are only “two paths.”
He said: “Either you continue to bow down to the extreme members of your Conference, who don’t want to govern, or you partner with Democrats and do the work of the American people,”
All options are on the Table.
Jeffries isn’t alone in taking pot shots at Republicans.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) blasted Republicans over Twitter for the lack of a Speaker of the House.
Swalwell wrote: “Trump is on trial.” “Republicans are without a Speaker.”
He continued, “This was always going to be the end result with these chaos agents at the helm.”
Jordan’s bid to become House Speaker was defeated in the first round on Tuesday by 20 Republicans who joined with all Democrats.
Seven Republicans voted in favor of Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La. ), who had been the speaker-designate until he was forced to withdraw because of mounting opposition. Six GOP members voted in favor of Kevin McCarthy, R. California, the ousted former Speaker, while three moderate New York Republicans supported former GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin from New York.
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) received additional votes.
Jordan later told reporters that he intends to hold another voting later in the day.
He said, “We must find a speaker to help us get back to working for the American people as soon as we can.”
There is some friction behind closed doors. Fox News Digital reported that a source familiar with the discussions said Jordan and Scalise had met after voting. Source: Jordan asked Scalise for his support as speaker during the meeting. However, Scalise refused to commit.
According to a spokesperson for Scalise, Fox News Digital reported that the report “was not accurate”.
“Leader Scalise was the only candidate who publicly stated that he would support whoever the conference nominated as Speaker. His position hasn’t changed.” The spokesperson stated that he voted in favor of Jim Jordan and would continue to do so.
