House expected to hold vote later this morning, path for Jordan unclear

The U.S. Capitol is seen at sunrise, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The House of Representatives is expected to hold a second vote later today to elect a House speaker, but it remains unclear how GOP nominee Jim Jordan will fare.

The House will meet at 11am, to be followed by a live quorum call to take attendance and the nominating speeches -- meaning there vote not be an actual vote until later in the 11am hour or noon.

Republicans nominated House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, who lost in the first round after 20 Republican members voted for other candidates. Jordan can lose only four Republicans, if no Democrats vote for him.

He is expected to pick up support today in Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., who returns after being absent yesterday.

However, he could also lose the support of other members, as some believe he had his chance yesterday. They also note that the vote was one more opportunity than was given to Majority Leader Steve Scalise -- who was the previous nominee but withdrew after failing to drum up enough support to win a floor vote.

Jordan will need to show some improvement today, or his bid could suffer further defections to other candidates. If he gains votes however, his supporters will say he has traction and there should be a third vote.

There is also increasing chatter about the House adopting a resolution to empower Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., as acting Speaker.

Lawmakers are jittery about the House now being in a legislative stasis for more than two weeks as the Middle East burns and a government shutdown looms next month.