Jim Jordan Chosen by House GOP in Closed-Door Vote as Party Pledges More Hard-Right Obstruction
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Republicans installed Rep. Jim Jordan as minority leader for the 120th Congress in a secret 106-73 vote over Steve Scalise, while other conference posts were also filled amid signs of more chaos and hard-line messaging.
House Republicans selected Rep. Jim Jordan as the incoming minority leader for the 120th Congress after a closed-door, secret-ballot vote that ended 106-73 over outgoing Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Jordan said the party would "fight for American families" and offer "more freedom" compared with Democrats, language that fits the GOP’s familiar push to cloak right-wing priorities in populist slogans.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had earlier announced he would not seek a leadership post in the new Congress, which begins on Jan. 3. In the same session, Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota retained the minority whip position, defeating Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, and Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan was re-elected conference chair.
Johnson praised Jordan after the result, calling him a "good, trusted friend and brother" and saying he would do an "excellent job." Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., described the choice as "tough" but highlighted Jordan’s experience as chairman of both the Oversight and Judiciary committees, a record that has made him a central figure in years of partisan warfare.
The new GOP leadership will inherit a chamber where Democrats hold a projected majority of more than 250 seats, according to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Analysts anticipate internal debates within the Republican conference over its direction in the coming years, especially as the party weighs whether to double down on grievance politics or offer any real governing agenda.
The Institute for Legislative Analysis, a nonprofit that advocates for smaller government, released a study endorsing Emmer, Jordan, Rep. Greg Steube and Rep. Brian Jack for leadership roles, noting that many Republican voters feel under-represented in Washington.
The leadership team is set to assume its duties on Jan. 3, as Democrats prepare to use their majority to pursue investigations into President Donald Trump and his allies.