Summary

  • Firebrand conservative Jim Jordan has fallen short in the first round of voting to become US House Speaker

  • The Republicans' slim majority over Democrats in the chamber means Jordan could only afford to lose four party members in a floor vote

  • But in the first round of voting some 20 Republicans voted against him, with several voting for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy

  • Jordan spent much of Tuesday trying to win over holdouts, before postponing a second vote until Wednesday morning

  • For two weeks the House has been unable to pass any bills, including aid for Ukraine and Israel

  • Hardline Republicans removed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy earlier this month after he cut a deal with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown

Live Reporting

Edited by Brandon Livesay

  1. Who is Jim Jordan?

    Jim JordanGetty Images

    The Republicans second choice to be Speaker, Jim Jordan is one of the party’s most right-wing members.

    First elected in 2006 in Ohio, he soon made his name as a political bomb thrower, unafraid to speak his mind and oppose those he considered too willing to cut deals with Democrats.

    In 2015, he, along with eight other Republicans, founded the House Freedom Caucus - a far-right group that has gone on to become a major influence in the party.

    The 59-year-old is a keen ally of former president Donald Trump, serving on his defence team during his first impeachment trial and has led investigations into President Joe Biden since becoming chair of the House Judiciary Committee in 2021.

    He has also faced his fair share of controversies.

    A former wrestling coach, in 2018 he was accused of turning a blind eye to the alleged sexual abuse of some team members decades ago.

    You can read more about Jim Jordan here.

  2. How did we get here?

    The moment McCarthy is removed as House speaker

    The US House has been without a Speaker since 3 October, when hardline Republicans led by Matt Gaetz forced a vote to remove their fellow party member, Kevin McCarthy.

    The California congressman angered extreme members of the party after he cut a deal with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown.

    Republicans then nominated Steve Scalise, but he dropped out after it became clear he could not win a majority on the House floor.

    Jim Jordan is the latest nominee, but faces the same struggle to get to 217 votes.

  3. House Speaker voting to kick off soon

    Thanks for joining our live coverage of what promises to be a day of drama on Capitol Hill.

    All eyes will be on Jim Jordan - the firebrand conservative from Ohio and the Republican nominee for Speaker of the House.

    His path to office faces significant hurdles. Moderates in his own party - including allies of the previous nominee, Steve Scalise - have vowed to oppose him at all costs.

    Meanwhile, opposition Democrats plan to propose their own candidate, Hakeem Jeffries.

    It all begins at 12:00 local time (17:00 BST). But we expect some formalities to take place before voting starts.

    Our reporters Sam Cabral and Bernd Debusmann Jnr are on Capitol Hill to being you the latest as it happens.

    Stay with us.