House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, DN.Y., faced off against the GOP nominee for House speaker following a failed vote to fill the role Tuesday.
Jeffries spoke to reporters outside the Capitol in Washington, DC, following House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan’s attempt to gather enough votes on the House floor to win the speakership.
Jeffries blasted Jordan, R-Ohio, after his first vote for speaker failed with 20 Republican votes against him, saying the GOP speaker nominee is the “poster child of MAGA extremism” and “not one” to be respected. which are Republicans over House Democrats.
During the gaggle, Jeffries said “informal conversations” were continuing with some Republicans, but would not elaborate.
JIM JORDAN LOSES IN THE FIRST ROUND OF HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE
“All options are on the table,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, DN.Y., said Tuesday of efforts to fill the House speaker position. (POOL)
“My hope, now that it’s clear that Jim Jordan lacks the votes to be speaker, is that those conversations will accelerate tonight,” Jeffries said.
Jeffries also said that “House Democrats have made it clear” that they are “ready, willing and able to find sides on any issue to make a difference in the lives of everyday Americans.”
“It’s time to get off the sidelines, break away from the extremists,” he said. “Get into the arena, so we can find a bipartisan path forward.”
Jeffries added that “Republicans cannot operate on their own right now” and that there are “only two paths.”
Jeffries called GOP speaker nominee Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the “poster child of MAGA extremism.” (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
“Either you continue to bow to the most extreme members of your conference, who are not interested in governing, or you can partner with the Democrats to do the business of the American people,” he said.
“All options are on the table.”
Jeffries isn’t the only House Democrat taking shots at Republicans.
Blasting Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., Republicans on Twitter over the House speaker’s absence.
“Trump is in Court,” Swalwell wrote. “Republicans Don’t Have a Speaker.”
“It always ends up with agents of chaos in charge,” he continued.
Jordan lost the first-round vote to become House speaker on Tuesday after 20 Republicans joined all Democrats in shooting down his candidacy.
The seven Republicans voted for Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who was previously appointed speaker before being forced to step down due to mounting opposition. Six GOP lawmakers voted for ousted ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and three moderate New York Republicans voted for former GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York.
Additional votes were cast for House Rules Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla.; Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.; Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif.; and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.
Jordan told reporters Tuesday that he intended to hold another vote the next day.
“We need to get a speaker as soon as possible to get back to work for the American people,” he said.
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But there seems to be some strife going on behind closed doors. A source familiar with the discussions told Fox News Digital that Jordan and Scalise met after the vote. During the meeting, Jordan asked for Scalise’s support for speaker, but Scalise did not commit, the source said.
A spokesperson for Scalise told Fox News Digital that the report was “inaccurate.”
“Leader Scalise is the only candidate in this entire process who has publicly stated that he will support whoever the conference appoints for Speaker, and his position has not changed. He voted for Jim Jordan on the floor and will continue to do so. ,” the spokesperson said.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
