After midterm losses, House Republicans elect Jordan minority leader for next Congress
Jordan wins leadership vote
Republicans selected Jordan to lead the party in the next Congress, choosing him over Scalise after the GOP suffered losses in the midterm elections. The vote Tuesday was 106 to 73, sources familiar with the tally told CBS News. In a letter announcing his candidacy, Jordan said the party needed a clear plan to respond to an energetic Democratic majority. He described himself as “battle-tested.”
A turbulent speaker contest
Jordan and Scalise each ran for House speaker after Kevin McCarthy was removed in 2023. Their bids failed to bring together the party’s factions, extending turmoil in the House for weeks.
Mike Johnson, then a little-known conservative without leadership experience, won a surprise victory. The conference voted unanimously to make him speaker.
Scalise’s leadership and health
A gunman critically injured Scalise at a congressional baseball practice in 2017. He announced in 2023 that he had multiple myeloma, and months later said treatment had put the disease in remission.
Key points
- Jordan defeated Scalise 106 to 73 to lead House Republicans in the next Congress.
- The vote came after the GOP’s losses in the midterm elections.
- Jordan and Scalise both ran for speaker after McCarthy’s removal in 2023.
- Scalise said he was in remission after treatment for multiple myeloma.