Reps. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y. and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., have implied that Jeffries could be speaker in comments made to The Grio. Jeffries “needs to be in position right now to help save us from ourselves and from this right-wing extremist Republican Party,” Bowman told the outlet. Omar noted, “House Democrats have remained united behind Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who still has more support than any of the Republican candidates,” adding, “If just four Republicans joined in a bipartisan coalition with Democrats, we could get back to the people’s business.”

Some Democrats have been even more explicit. Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., made the case for Speaker Jeffries, tweeting, “The fastest way for Congress to open up again is for 5 people to vote for ⁦Hakeem Jeffries.”

We’ve been waiting for House Republicans to choose a House Speaker for 8 days now. The fastest way for Congress to open up again is for 5 people to vote for ⁦Hakeem Jeffries. Ready to go! ⁦@RepJeffries⁩ pic.twitter.com/L8umt6zJ0j

— Grace Meng (@Grace4NY) October 12, 2023

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., also called on moderate Republicans “to do the right thing and join us to support Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker.”

Jim Jordan is an insurrectionist, an election denier, and hasn’t passed a bill in 16 years. So of course 200 Republicans voted for him and he still lost. They now have a chance to do the right thing and join us to support Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker.

— Congressman Robert Garcia (@RepRobertGarcia) October 17, 2023

So far, Jeffries has not signed on to this plan. While he pushed Thursday for a “bipartisan path forward” if Republicans could not “get their act together and elect the speaker from within their own ranks,” he has stated that he is not suggesting himself for the role.

However, whether Jordan pulls together enough Republicans to win the speaker role, the GOP will likely remain in disarray for some time. Suppose some Republicans become desperate enough to cross party lines to solve the leadership crisis within their ranks. In that case, it is still possible Jeffries could emerge as the bipartisan compromise candidate.

Speaker of the House

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week