DLNews Politics:

Twenty Republicans voted against Jordan in the second round for speaker, and his overall count fell further behind the 21 he needed.

Several Republicans who voted against him reported receiving menacing calls and death threats. For example, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa said she received a barrage of messages, including the line: “You are going to get your face blown off.” Law enforcement officials have told her that her family is at risk. She shifted her vote from Jordan to Kay Granger after Jordan could not secure sufficient votes in the two rounds of balloting this week.

Other Republicans who voted against Jordan in the second round include Reps. Vern Buchanan of Florida, Ken Buck of Ohio, Jake Ellzey of Kansas, Mary Miller-Meeks of Iowa, and Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania. They cited various reasons for their decision, including refusing to reward those who helped oust McCarthy, growing frustration with pressure tactics from Jordan allies, and concern over his ideological rigidity.

The Jordan camp has not backed off its strategy of attempting to scare Republicans into supporting him. Several GOP members say groups like the House Republican Caucus and the conservative Women for American Freedom are targeting them. Activists have posted lists of 12 members they consider holdouts and encouraged followers to flood their office phone lines and demand that they support Jordan.

The tumult has created an extraordinary situation in the House, where it is almost impossible for Republicans to do their jobs because they are divided. Jordan has vowed to continue fighting, but he will need to bring on more than just the 20 Republican members who voted against him in the first round of voting to take the gavel.

Increasingly frustrated members have begun to explore other options. One bipartisan group has proposed giving interim Speaker pro tempore Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., more extraordinary powers to reopen the immobilized House and temporarily conduct business. But even that plan seems unlikely to win over many of Jordan’s ardent detractors.

The measure would require a total House vote, and a majority of Democrats would be needed to approve it. Democrats have already signaled they will want assurances that McHenry will allow votes on bipartisan spending bills and reauthorizing an aid package for Ukraine, among other things. And even if the plan wins approval, it will be hard for McHenry or anyone else to gain the 217 votes needed to become speaker. How the process will play out over the next few weeks is still being determined. But one thing is clear: It is unlikely that Jordan will ever win the race to be speaker of the House.