House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), a prime contender in the race to be the next Speaker of the US.House of Representatives, arrives for a House Republican Conference meeting in Washington, US, on October 13, 2023. (Photo: Reuters)

Successive closed-door votes left Jordan with the backing of a majority of House Republicans, but still shy of the 217 votes necessary to win the job.

The hardline conservative won the endorsement over Austin Scott, a Georgia lawmaker, in an initial vote, but did not pick up much more support in a second round of voting, according to insiders and lawmakers. Jordan’s backers said his confrontational style could help in negotiating with Biden and the Democratic-controlled Senate. But the second vote made clear that many Republicans were still reluctant to line up behind him.

Republican infighting has left the House paralyzed for close to two weeks, as lawmakers have deadlocked over a successor to Kevin McCarthy, who was forced out by a small group of Republicans last Tuesday. Republicans said they would go home for the weekend, ensuring the House would remain without a leader until at least Monday.