House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries Calls for Formal Discussions to End Republican Civil War in Speaker Stalemate

Yesterday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) spoke on NBC’s “Meet the Press” about informal discussions between Democrats and Republicans as the House Speaker stalemate continues in Washington. The GOP has nominated Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for the speaker position, but it is unlikely he can get the 217 votes required on the House floor.

Jordan and his allies have shifted to mobilizing base MAGA supporters against the substantial number of holdouts who have either claimed they won’t vote for Jordan on the floor of the House or claim they will never vote for him. Jeffries said it’s time to formalize discussions about potentially forming a bipartisan governing coalition.

Most of the holdouts are in safe or saf-ish seats and are in no way “moderates”. The way Jordan loses is that the more established Republicans who are tired of the situation continue to refuse to vote for him. Jeffries said it’s time to end the Republican civil war so they can get back to doing the business of the American people.

The vote could reportedly take place as early as Tuesday, and Democrats have remained united in their opposition to the candidates the GOP has put forward. Jeffries said that House Democrats are open to discussions and are willing to work with Republicans to find a way out of the stalemate.