Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio), the embattled Republican speaker nominee, said at a news conference that he hopes to be elected Friday, despite falling well short of the majority needed in the full chamber on votes Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, he offered to pause his campaign and support temporarily expanding the powers of Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R-N.C.), the interim speaker, to conduct some House business. The effort fell apart during a long and heated meeting of the GOP conference.
