Alabama’s Labor Force Participation rate shows no improvement; still at 57%
Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced on Friday that Alabama’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 57.0%. The percentage of prime-age workers did show some improvement, with a slight increase of two-tenths of a percentage point to 78.0% over the month. Prime-age workers are those aged 25 to 54 years. “In Alabama, more than three-quarters of our prime-age working population is working,” said Washington. “We’re happy to see this monthly increase and are hopeful that continuing efforts to increase the labor force participation rate will help to bring these numbers up even higher.” Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate increased slightly from August’s rate of 2.1% to 2.2%. September’s rate is well below September 2022’s rate of 2.6%. The rate represents 50,179 unemployed people. This is up from August’s 48,590 and still below the 60,488 in September 2022. The number of people counted as employed increased by 35,931 over the year to a new record high of 2,259,784. The civilian labor force also reached a new record high of 2,309,963, with 25,622 more people joining over the last twelve months. Wages are also rising across the state, improving household incomes and helping raise people out of poverty. “Additionally, we’re seeing increases in Alabamians’ wages,” said Sec. Washington. “Over the year, total weekly private wages increased by $20.44, putting more money in workers’ pockets.” Over the year, average weekly wages for total private industry increased to $1,022.58. That is up over $20 per worker per year, September 2022’s $1,002.14. The construction industry saw a new record weekly wage amount, increasing by $87.53 over the year to $1,251.05. 2,158,300 Alabamians are now employed – an increase of 36,400 over the year. The most significant gains were in the private education and health services sector (+8,400), the government sector (+8,000), and the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+7,700), among others. Wage and salary employment increased in September by 7,700. Monthly gains were seen in the government sector (+6,800), the private education and health services sector (+3,900), and the financial activities sector (+1,900), among others. The Alabama counties with the lowest unemployment rates are Shelby County at 1.9%, Morgan, Marshall, Madison, and Limestone Counties at 2.0%, and Elmore, Cullman, and Chilton Counties at 2.1%. The counties with the highest unemployment rates are Wilcox County at 7.4%, Dallas County at 5.1%, and Perry County at 4.6%. The Alabama major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are Vestavia Hills at 1.7%, Alabaster, Homewood, Hoover, and Madison at 1.8%, and Trussville at 1.9%. The major cities with the highest unemployment rates are Selma at 6.0%, Prichard at 4.7%, and Bessemer at 3.9%. Selma’s economy was impacted by the tornado destruction earlier this year. The national unemployment rate dropped to 3.6% in September from 3.9% in August. That is still higher than the Alabama rate of 2.2%. The national labor force participation rate is 62.7%, down slightly from 62.9% in August. Alabama’s labor participation rate of 57% is one of the worst in the nation. Gov. Kay Ivey is seeking to improve the state’s dreadful labor force participation rate. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
After third failed vote, Jim Jordan will not be Speaker of the House
On Friday, the House of Representatives again rejected House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in a third vote for the Speaker of the House. The third vote was his poorest performance yet as more and more GOP House members abandoned the conservative firebrand’s cause. Just hours after that vote, the Republican Conference met and, in a secret ballot, voted to no longer back Jordan as the GOP nominee for Speaker. Jordan was never the first choice of House Republicans. Most, including Jordan himself, voted not to oust Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-California). Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) and eight disgruntled far-right House members voted with House Democrats to oust McCarthy. The Conference chose House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) over Jordan in a close conference vote. Scalise failed to get the commitment from conservatives for a viable run for Speaker. Seeing that he did not have the 217 votes needed to be elected Speaker, Scalise withdrew. Jordan defeated Rep. Austin Scott (R-Georgia) on Friday, August 13. All six Republican Alabama House congressional delegation members supported Jordan’s failed bid for the Speaker’s gavel. Former Speaker McCarthy endorsed Jordan and gave a floor speech Friday morning encouraging members to back him, but this failed to sway the growing anti-Jordan faction within the House Republican Caucus. Jordan, the founding Chairman of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus, struggled to convince mainstream and moderate House members to support him. On the first vote, he received just 200 votes – 17 shy of being elected Speaker. That was the closest that he would ever come. On Thursday, Jordan announced that he had suspended his campaign for Speaker and instead would back giving the Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina) emergency powers so that the House could function until January. Opposition prevented that plan from being adopted, so Jordan resumed his campaign for Speaker late Thursday evening, leading to that doomed third vote on Friday morning. With Jordan no longer the nominee and the GOP Conference extremely divided, the House is in something close to chaos. On Thursday, President Joe Biden asked Congress to provide $10 billion to Israel for its war with Hamas and other terror organizations and $50 billion more in emergency aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Moving on the aid request or passing budgets to avoid a government shutdown on November 15 is all at a standstill until House Republicans can decide on a Speaker of the House. At this point, it appears that the next Republican nominee will not be Rep. Jordan. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Katie Britt traveling to Middle East to advance regional stability as tensions increase
On Friday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) announced that she is en route to the Middle East with a bipartisan delegation of Senate colleagues led by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina). The Senators will be seeing the situation on the ground firsthand, meeting with leaders across the region, and emphasizing the United States’ unequivocal support for Israel in light of the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas. “Today, I’m headed to the Middle East with a bipartisan group of my Senate colleagues led by Senator Lindsey Graham,” Sen. Britt said in a statement. “This trip signifies our continued, unequivocal, and resounding support for Israel and the right to defend herself against the barbaric attacks on innocent children, women, and men by Hamas terrorists. As a mom, as an American, and as a Christian, I am absolutely horrified by what we’ve seen. On our trip, my colleagues and I will advocate for stability in the Middle East as we work towards long-term sustainable peace that keeps Americans safe at home and abroad. I will continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the days and weeks and months ahead to ensure that Israel has everything it needs. Peace will only come through strength. The stability of the world, the region, the security of our own homeland, and the safety of our communities and families depend on it. Please pray for us in the coming days. Please pray for our great nation, and please continue to pray for Israel. Thank you, and God Bless.” Due to security concerns, additional details are not being shared with the public. More information will be shared throughout the trip and when the delegation returns to the United States. The official congressional delegation trip follows a trip by President Joe Biden to the Middle East. Israeli officials did meet with the President, but a planned trip to Jordan to meet with Jordanian, Egyptian, and Palestinian Authority Leaders was canceled after an Islamic Jihad rocket misfired, killing over 500 Palestinians in a hospital. Hamas initially reported that the hospital accident resulted from an Israeli air strike, enflaming tensions on the Arab streets. Israeli Intelligence then released captured telephone conversations between Palestinian commanders, acknowledging that an errant rocket struck the hospital. A United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas but ordering an immediate cease-fire by both sides – including Israeli operations against Hamas in Gaza – was vetoed by the United States. Sen. Britt has denounced the attacks by Hamas on Israel – and to this point – has been a strong supporter of the Israeli response. “We cannot turn a blind eye to evil,” Britt said. “We must stand firm with Israel, and I am hopeful that the Biden Administration will do much more than just refreezing the $6 billion that is headed to Iran. We know what to do. We’ve got to squeeze out any type of financial resources they’re getting through that. Through also working with our G7 colleagues to make sure that we return to a posture of maximum pressure, bone-crushing sanctions drying up each and every dollar that is headed to their hands. We know that Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorists. We know that. We know, they have told us, that their goal is to wipe Israel off the face of this earth. We need our leaders to stand firm and [hold] them accountable. And then knowing that Hamas not only wants to wipe out Israel but has said that they want to wipe out the Jewish people. To all of the people here in America, to those suffering and hurting in Israel, we want you to know we stand with you, and we stand ready to do everything possible to not only hold these people accountable but ensure your safety and prosperity moving forward.” Katie Britt was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
Ken McFeeters running for Congressional District 6
On Tuesday, Republican Ken McFeeters qualified to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Congressional District Six. McFeeters is challenging five-term incumbent Gary Palmer in the Republican primary. Ken McFeeters is an independent insurance agent who lives and works in the Hoover-Birmingham area. Alabama Today spoke on the phone with McFeeters on Thursday while he was out campaigning. “I got involved in politics initially because of some issues that came up in the insurance business that I am in,” McFeeters said. Over time, McFeeters said that his concern about the country’s direction increased. “I have had some concerns for a while,” McFeeters told Alabama Today. “The last couple of years has been insane.” “Gary Palmer says all the Republican talking points, but I don’t feel that he is leading,” said McFeeters on why he would run against an entrenched incumbent. “I met with Gary for two hours hoping that he would talk me out of it (running),” McFeeters said. McFeeters said that he was not satisfied with Palmer’s answers on the issues he cares about, including Palmer’s answers on COVID-19 vaccines for infants, the war in Ukraine, and some of the shutdowns. That conversation convinced McFeeters to run. McFeeters believes the federal government needs some fiscal discipline, as evidenced by the $33 trillion national debt. “It is insanity,” McFeeters said. “Gary voted for the CARES Act, a $2.2 trillion bill.” McFeeters said on the issue of the COVID lockdowns, “Gary said under the circumstances, it would have been worse not to. How could it have been worse.” McFeeters also questioned the wisdom of the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination program. “My sister was injured by the vaccine with micro clots,” McFeeters said. “Gary said that he thinks he got myocarditis from the shot. And his letter says that everybody should get shots.” “They are injecting it into infants,” McFeeters said. “They put it on the schedule, so unless you opt-out, it is given to every child.” We asked McFeeters about his view on the GOP house member’s inability to agree on a Speaker of the House. “It is discouraging,” McFeeters said. “I was disappointed. I was hoping that Jim Jordan would get it.” McFeeters said it was a bad look for House Republicans that they could not come together and select a Speaker of the House after the Hamas attacks on Israel. McFeeters speculated that the 20 members who opposed Rep. Jordan are controlled by corporate interests in Washington, D.C., that do not want Jordan to be speaker. “It seems like we are living at an insane time,” McFeeters said. McFeeters expressed fears that corporate elites have gained too much power in federal and state governments and that Congress and the legislatures serve them rather than the people. “Both sides call the other side fascist,” McFeeters said of the left and the right. “But if you look up the history of the term fascism, it was invented by Benito Mussolini in the twenties. He said that it represented the merger of state and corporate power. That seems like what we have been living with.” He discussed the education system. “I want to abolish the U.S. Department of Education and get the federal government out of education,” McFeeters said. “When it was created around 1980, our educational system was number two in the world. Now, after spending hundreds of billions of dollars, depending on what rankings you use, we are somewhere between 25 and 28.” McFeeters expressed concerns that the educational system is not teaching students how to be critical thinkers but instead just making them into good workers for corporate interests. McFeeters referenced the border issue as another area in which corporate interests supply big corporations with willing workers without regard for the people of the United States. “When Republicans were in there, they didn’t do anything either,” McFeeters said of the GOP’s inability to pass an immigration bill even in those times when they controlled both houses of Congress and held the presidency. McFeeters said that he is enjoying being out on the campaign trail. “Everywhere I go, everybody agrees with me,” McFeeters said. McFeeters said the informed voters who go to Republican group meetings, read, and actively study the issues generally agree with him on most issues. His concern is with the voters who aren’t paying attention and will be swayed by the media. McFeeters is not optimistic about his chances of beating a five-term incumbent in Palmer. “I don’t think I will win because not enough people are awake yet,” McFeeters said. The major party primaries are on March 5. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Spring Hill College receives $2 million grant to enhance educational excellence
Spring Hill College announced it has been awarded a Title III $2.2 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education. The funds will significantly support the college’s ongoing commitment to high-quality and inclusive education. According to Spring Hill College Provost Dr. Rebecca Cantor, “This grant represents a significant milestone in our mission to provide education that prepares students for success in an ever-changing world. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Education for their support, which will empower Spring Hill College to reach new heights in our educational offerings.” Key areas of focus for the Title III grant allocation include enhancing academic support, modernizing educational technology, faculty development, and strengthening student engagement. In September, the College announced they had been awarded a $35 million grant to construct a state-of-the-art Health and Science Innovation Center. Founded in 1830, Spring Hill College is the oldest Catholic college in the Southeast and the third-oldest Jesuit college in the United States.
Gov. Kay Ivey awards nearly $2 million for trail projects in Alabama
Alabamians will soon have new opportunities to enjoy the state’s great outdoors thanks to nearly $2 million awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey for recreational trail improvements. The funds will help build, restore, or improve trails at seven locations in Alabama. “Trails are the ideal invitation to get people outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and Alabama’s scenic natural beauty,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am pleased to announce these projects, which will provide even more opportunities for Alabamians to enjoy outdoor recreation.” Gov. Ivey awarded the grants from funds made available by the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) will administer the awards. “With a well-maintained trail, you have a lot more than a place to get some exercise. You also have a place where you can socialize with others or where you can go and collect your thoughts,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in support of these new trails.” The awarded grants and projects are: Camden– $184,368 to construct a 5,600-foot-long walking trail with water fountains and rest areas at Bridgeport Landing Park on the eastern shore of the Dannelly Reservoir (Alabama River). A 2020 Recreational Trails grant helped the city construct boat ramps and other improvements at the park, which hosts numerous fishing tournaments. Jackson – $350,000 to build a 1,000-foot-long, eight-foot-wide multi-use boardwalk at Kimball Lake. The boardwalk is the first phase of a plan to connect Kimball Lake RV Park with Parker Lake RV Park, both located near the Tombigbee River. Montgomery – $350,000 to extend the Riverfront Greenway multi-use Trail from Riverfront Park to near Shady Street. The trail will run almost parallel with the Alabama River and Lafayette Street. Piedmont– $350,000 to repave a portion of the Chief Ladiga Trail within the Piedmont city limits and improve signage at road intersections. The Chief Ladiga Trail, a rails-to-trails project completed in 1998, is a 33-mile trail that links the cities of Weaver, Anniston, Jacksonville, and Piedmont. It also connects with Silver Comet Trail at the Georgia state line, which continues to Atlanta. In Piedmont, it is used by locals and draws long-distance hikers and bike riders. River Falls – $90,857 to construct a multi-use trail at the River Falls Pavilion and property adjoining the River Falls Cemetery. The 0.3-mile concrete trail will be eight feet wide. Troy – $322,253 to construct a walking and biking trail and additional parking along with installing picnic tables and benches at Hubert Maddox Washington Park. The 1,320-foot-long asphalt trail will be eight feet wide to accommodate both pedestrians and riders. Shelby County – $350,000 to construct approximately 12 miles of trails to connect existing trails at Double Oak Park. The new trail is part of the second phase of the Shelby County Commission’s plan to provide a recreation venue on the 750-acre site atop Double Oak Mountain north of U.S. Highway 280.
Feds warn of potential terror attacks overseas as Israel-Hamas war escalates
By Dan McCaleb | The Center Square The federal government is warning Americans to “exercise increased caution” when traveling overseas as tensions mount over Israel’s war with the terrorist group Hamas in the Mideast. “Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,” the department said in a “Worldwide Caution” alert posted Thursday. Sometimes violent protests have erupted worldwide after Hamas operatives initiated a sneak attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that led to the deaths of more than 1,200 Israeli citizens, including dozens of Americans. Israel responded, firing missiles into Gaza daily targeting Hamas strongholds. A large group of pro-Palestinian protesters entered a government building on Capitol Hill on Wednesday demanding a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. The State Department also is working with U.S. embassies abroad on security reviews in anticipation of potential attacks, ABC News reporter. Separately, both President Joe Biden and FBI Director Christopher Wray have said the potential for a terrorist attack on U.S. soil has increased because of the war in the Middle East. “In this heightened environment, there’s no question we’re seeing an increase in reported threats, and we’ve got to be on the lookout, especially for lone actors who may take inspiration from recent events to commit violence of their own,” Wray told police chiefs at the International Police Chiefs Association in San Diego this past weekend, as The Center Square previously reported. Domestic terrorism concerns also are elevated as a record number of known, suspected terrorists have been apprehended attempting to enter the U.S. over the past year. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Senator Tommy Tuberville cosponsors bill to cut funding to UN relief agency
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) joined Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) and nineteen other colleagues in cosponsoring the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Accountability and Transparency Act which would cut United Nation’s funding over allegations of antisemitism. The legislation comes in the wake of the attacks on the people of Israel by the terrorist group Hamas. The Trump Administration previously pulled U.S. funding from the controversial agency in 2018 over its institutional antisemitism that has included the indoctrination of Palestinian children against Israel and the U.S. and to embrace terrorism, but the Biden State Department restored the funds. “President (Donald) Trump defunded UNRWA because of its ties to antisemites and terrorists,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Joe Biden came in and cut UNRWA a big check for nearly a billion dollars. The contrast couldn’t be clearer. Now our closest ally, Israel, is under attack by Hamas terrorists. It’s time we do what President Trump did and restrict the flow of American tax dollars to UNRWA.” This legislation would cease U.S. contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, a successor entity, or to the U.N. regular budget for the support of UNRWA unless the Secretary of State certifies every 180 days to Congress that UNRWA meets strict accountability and transparency criteria. The Senators assert that the UNRWA has a history of employing individuals affiliated with Hamas, an Iranian-backed, U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Additionally, UNRWA schools have been used to store Hamas weapons and promote anti-Semitic education in their textbooks. The Biden Administration restarted funding and has thus far provided more than $682 million to UNRWA. The UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act would: · Ensure that UNRWA refugees are true refugees and do not have citizenship in other countries · Require that the U.S. withholds UNRWA contributions unless the Secretary of State certifies every 180 days that the following conditions are met: · No UNRWA employee, consultant, contractor, etc., has ties to a foreign terrorist organization, including Hamas engaged in terrorist activity propagated or disseminated anti-American, anti-Israel, or anti-Semitic material express support for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) · No UNRWA facility has been used by a foreign terrorist organization or as a tunnel for terrorist activities · UNRWA is subject to a comprehensive audit by an independent third party agreed to by the PA and Israel · No UNRWA facility uses textbooks or other educational material that is anti-American, anti-Israel or anti-Semitic · No recipient of UNRWA funds or loans is a member of a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) or engaged in terrorist activities · UNRWA holds no accounts or other affiliation with financial institutions that the US considers to be complicit in money laundering or terrorist financing · Does not allow the US to contribute more money to UNRWA than the highest amount contributed by a member of the League of Arab States or more than the proportion that the US contributes to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) · Requires a report by the Secretary of State on progress made Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL03) has gone much further, calling for the U.S. to get out of the United Nations altogether and has introduced legislation the that effect. “The UN has repeatedly proven itself to be an utterly useless organization & the WHO lost all credibility when they chose to put public health second to the Chinese Communist Party,” Rogers said. “My legislation would withdraw the U.S. from the UN & WHO.” Tuberville serves as a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees. He was elected to the Senate in 2020. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Personnel Update: Alabama Hospital Association hires Rachel Bunning as new Director of Communications and Public Relations
The Alabama Hospital Association has hired Rachel Bunning as the new Director of Communications and Public Relations. Previous director Jeannie Gaines is going to take time off to raise her three-year-old son. Prior to the Alabama Hospital Association, Bunning worked as the vice president of external affairs at the Women’s Foundation of Alabama. Bunning graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Journalism. Bunning led strategic communications for a Washington, D.C.-based firm, worked on two presidential campaigns, and served as Communications Director in the Office of the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives for three sitting Speakers for the Majority Party. Bunning also served as the communications and marketing administrator at the Alabama Community College System, where she managed external affairs and communications strategy for the state’s 24 community and technical colleges.
Federal government owed nearly $15 million by state
By Steve Wilson | The Center Square Nearly $15 million is owed by Alabama to the federal government because it did not invoice rebates from manufacturers on prescription drugs covered by Medicaid, a report says. Under Medicaid’s outpatient drug rebate requirements that began in 1991, pharmaceutical manufacturers must pay any rebates for those drugs to the states. Each state is required to invoice the manufacturers for the rebates to be eligible for federal reimbursement of drug costs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services receives a list of covered drugs and prices from the manufacturers and calculates a unit rebate amount for each drug and provides these amounts to the states each quarter. The report by the U.S. Health and Human Services Administration’s Office of Inspector General found that the Alabama Medicaid Agency didn’t invoice manufacturers for rebates for $21 million ($14.9 million federal share) in outpatient drugs. Auditors scrutinized $3.43 billion ($2.44 billion federal share) in Medicaid-reimbursed drug costs from Jan. 1, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2019. Health and Human Services recommended the state refund $14.9 million, work with Medicaid to determine how much it needed to refund the federal government for drugs not invoiced for rebates after Dec. 31, 2019, and tighten its internal controls to ensure all drugs eligible for federal reimbursement have their rebates invoiced with the manufacturers. In a response, the state says it will collect the rebates on its next invoice cycle and will pay the federal share on any rebate it receives. State officials also told the Office of Inspector General that manufacturers would need time to pay the rebate owed and it will comply with the request to tighten internal controls to ensure that rebates are invoiced. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Jim Jordan: Speaker vote is back on, no Patrick McHenry deal
By Casey Harper | The Center Square U.S. House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, told reporters Thursday afternoon that he would in fact keep running for speaker and hold another floor vote, despite reports that he was considering postponing his effort. The news came after Jordan reportedly said behind closed doors he would back the speaker pro Tempore, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. for a limited temporary speakership role so that lawmakers can hit key funding deadlines coming this year. “I’ll just say this,” Jordan told reporters Thursday. “We made the pitch to members on the resolution as a way to lower the temperature and get back to work. We decided that wasn’t where we were going to go. I’m still running for speaker, and I plan to go to the floor and get the votes and win this race.” The House faces a government shutdown deadline in the middle of November and calls to pass funding measures for the respective Ukraine and Israel wars. “But I want to go talk with a few of my colleagues, particularly I want to talk with the 20 individuals who voted against me so that we can move forward and begin to work for the American people,” Jordan added. Some Republicans were immediately critical of the news, which was reported by Punchbowl News, that Jordan would strike a deal with McHenry. “There is no path for a GOP-only empowerment of a Speaker Pro-Tem so it will necessarily require Democrat votes,” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, as rumors of the deal swirled. “It is, in any event, a fool’s errand – breaking with tradition & setting constitutionally questionable precedent to empower someone who is NOT the duly elected Speaker but will be empowered to negotiate a CR & massive supplemental bills (approx. $100BB) for Israel & Ukraine (& $ to process more illegals). “It will then set the [House GOP] up for a Xmas omni ‘deal,’” he added. “I strongly oppose.” A third vote for Jordan was expected Thursday, but Jordan’s reported temporary endorsement of McHenry delayed it. It remains unclear if lawmakers will vote later Thursday or later this week. Jordan failed to get the needed 217 votes both Tuesday and Wednesday as moderate Republicans held out, voting for a range of other potential candidates. Senate Republicans chimed in as well. “House Uniparty GOP members insisted last week that a ‘Speakerless House’ was a national crisis, but they’re now willing to experiment with unprecedented long-term pro-tem powers when asked to vote for a more conservative Speaker. Stunning hypocrisy,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote on X. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
