Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) announced his intention to run for the seat of Speaker of the House on July 26.
“President Trump has taken bold action on behalf of the American people,” Jordan wrote. “Congress has not held up its end of the deal, but we can change that. It’s time to do what we said.”
The current speaker, Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) announced in April that he will not run for re-election in November this year. Ryan assumed the speaker’s role in 2015.
Before November, Jordan suggested that Republicans focus on six legislative priorities to inspire voters: repealing Obamacare, reforming welfare, building a border wall and reforming the immigration system, making last year’s tax cuts permanent, defunding Planned Parenthood, and enacting spending cuts.
The candidate for speaker wrote that it’s also time to shake up the committee assignments process with a focus on merit, talent, and experience.
“Rank-and-file members know who has the skills to get the best policies enacted and conduct rigorous oversight,” Jordan wrote.
In the weeks running up to his announcement, Jordan was the subject of an apparent smear campaign. Several former wrestlers accused Jordan of not acting on rumors about sexual abuse by a team doctor that circulated during his tenure at The Ohio State University more than 20 years ago.
Friends Read Free