With Jim Jordan as leader, House Republicans signal they're ready to fight
House Republicans have selected Jim Jordan as their new leader following significant losses in the midterm elections. Supporters view Jordan as a combative fighter capable of uniting the party, while critics recall his history of legislative obstruction.
Why it matters
This leadership change signals a shift toward a more confrontational legislative strategy for the House GOP in the upcoming Congress.
Washington — Former House Speaker John Boehner once described Rep. Jim Jordan, the next House Republican leader, as a political "terrorist." "I just never saw a guy who spent more time tearing things apart, never building anything, never putting anything together," the former GOP leader told CBS News in 2021. On Tuesday, House Republicans selected Jordan to lead the party in the next Congress, a significant shakeup in the party's leadership that signaled they're ready for a fight after losing more than 40 seats in the midterm elections. Jordan — who was a founding member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, which routinely makes legislating difficult for GOP leaders — built his reputation confronting Democrats in combative hearings as the top Republican on the powerful House Judiciary Committee. There, the Ohio Republican defended President Trump against the first impeachment inquiry, which centered on the president's conduct toward Ukraine.
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