Jordan picked to lead House Republicans in minority
House Republicans chose Jim Jordan, a 62-year-old Ohio representative who chairs the Judiciary Committee, as their leader for the incoming minority. He beat outgoing majority leader Steve Scalise 106 to 73 in a secret ballot held behind closed doors on 10 Nov. The vote followed Democrats' midterm gains that gave them House and Senate majorities. Speaker Mike Johnson declined to seek the post. In the Senate, John Thune was re-elected Republican leader by acclamation.
Key facts
- Jordan must stop Trump's promised vetoes of Democratic bills from being overridden by Republican defections.
- Senate bills generally need 60 votes, so Democrats need Republican support to pass major legislation.
- A 2018 accusation that Jordan ignored abuse of college wrestlers was denied by him; a university probe found no solid evidence.
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Why it matters
Republicans now face Democratic-controlled chambers and must limit Democratic legislation during Trump's final two years.
What changed
First published from Hindustan Times, Al Jazeera English, CNBC, South China Morning Post and The Jerusalem Post