In a whirlwind of political maneuvering, Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio finds himself racing against the clock to secure enough votes to become the new speaker of the House of Representatives. After failing to win the gavel in the initial round of voting on Tuesday, Jordan now faces the daunting task of convincing GOP hard-liners to back his bid for the speakership.

The House is set to reconvene on Wednesday morning for another round of voting, as the chamber has been left in a state of paralysis without a speaker for the past two weeks. This unprecedented situation has hindered the House's ability to pass any legislation, despite the urgent calls from lawmakers on both sides to address critical issues such as approving an aid package for Israel following the recent Hamas attacks.

Jordan, a hard-right congressman and a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, has set his sights on the speakership after securing the party's nomination. However, his path to victory is far from certain, as 55 Republicans have openly stated that they will not support his bid. This poses a significant challenge for Jordan, as he can only afford four defections within his own party and still hope to become speaker.

Undeterred by this setback, Jordan remains optimistic, asserting that he believes he has the 217 votes required to secure the speakership. In his quest to shore up support, he plans to make appearances on the House floor early this week to sway Republican members of Congress who have previously indicated their opposition to his candidacy.

The outcome of this high-stakes battle for the speakership will have far-reaching implications for the functioning of the House and the ability of lawmakers to address pressing issues. As the clock ticks down, all eyes are on Jordan as he races against time to rally support and secure the coveted gavel. The nation waits in anticipation to see if he can overcome the hurdles and emerge victorious in this critical power struggle within the Republican Party.