UNITED STATES: Republican members claim that while Jim Jordan’s quest for the US House of Representatives speakership is faltering, his allies have been threatening them with death.
A number of Republicans told reporters that they had been the target of a lobbying campaign by Jordan’s allies, who on Wednesday failed to secure a second vote for the gavel. Ohio Republican Jordan, a right-winger, has denounced the threats.
A conservative insurrection toppled the previous Speaker on October 3. A third vote is scheduled for Thursday, with Jordan needing more party support to secure the required 217 votes.
Republican Marianne Miller-Meeks has claimed she has received death threats and threatening calls since voting for someone other than Jim Jordan. Politico received texts from Nebraska Republican Don Bacon, who criticizes Jordan, suggesting his wife is being harassed by a potential House Speaker’s supporter.
Jim Jordan denies being part of the pressure campaign.
“No American should accost another for their beliefs. We condemn all threats against our colleagues and it is imperative that we come together,” he wrote on X.
“Stop. It’s abhorrent,” Jim Jordan further wrote.
Anti-Jordan Republicans like Jen Kiggans of Virginia, Kay Granger of Texas, and John Rutherford of Florida expressed dissatisfaction with the methods used by right-wing influencers and local conservative leaders to support Jim Jordan.
Kiggans stated on X that threats and intimidation would not change her mind.
Republican Carlos Gimenez has accused Jordan of causing a series of robocalls and threatening his office. Gimenez stated that he had discussed the issue with Jordan directly and that he doesn’t take threats well.
“He told me that he wasn’t behind it, and he’s asked people to stop, but if you’ve asked people to stop it why aren’t they listening to you?”, Gimenez told the media.
Republican Steve Womack criticized Jordan’s allies for their “attack, attack, attack” strategy against lawmakers opposed to his speakership ambition. Florida’s Byron Donalds admitted that the use of force may have “backfired”.
Following Jordan’s unsuccessful attempt to secure party support, internal strife has increased, with two more Republicans casting ballots against him on Wednesday.
After a backbench mutiny, the leadership struggle continues in the lower house of Congress, with the Republican-controlled House unable to approve emergency aid requests or pass laws without a Speaker.
Democrats have always voted in unison in support of their own leader, New Yorker Hakeem Jeffries. Growing discontent has led to discussions in the House about giving interim Speaker Patrick McHenry more authority for a maximum of ninety days.
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