Nomination of Rep. Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House - Oct. 17, 2023

Mr. Speaker pro temp -- Mr. Speaker pro temp, Madam Clerk, colleagues, I rise today to nominate the gentleman from Ohio, Jim Jordan, as speaker of the people's house. We are at a time of great crisis across America. A time of historic challenges in this very chamber. And a time when heinous acts of terror and evil have been committed against our great ally, Israel. As this body convenes for the sacred responsibility to elect the next speaker of the people's house, I am reminded of the book of Esther. For such a time is this. Jim Jordan will be America's speaker for such a time as this. A time when hardworking American families are struggling under the vice of inflation. Not able to afford groceries, heat or gas because of the trillions and trillions of dollars of reckless spending by failed far-left government. A time when millions are being illegally trafficked and smuggled across our southern and northern borders to you to the catastrophic -- due to the catastrophic and inhumane wide open borders of Joe Biden. A time when violent crime is skyrocketing across America, destroying our great cities, suburbs and small towns. Where people no longer feel safe in their homes or in their communities. A time when American energy production has been crushed by Joe Biden's radical failed far-left policies, causing seniors, farmers and families to pay more at the pump and struggle with skyrocketing utility bills. A time when the federal government is weaponized against we the people. Who they are supposed to serve. Stripping us of our God-given constitutional rights and wrongfully targeting conservatives, Catholics and even parents at school board meetings. And a time when the people of our closest and most precious ally, Israel, suffered the bloodiest day since the holocaust. With acts of inhumane evil committed by Hamas terrorists, backed by Iran. Grotesque atrocities. The beheadings of babies. Rapes, kidnappings and slaughter of women, children and the elderly. And Israelis and Americans taken hostage. We are here in this very chamber for such a time as this. Jim Jordan will be we the people's speaker for such a time as this. Our friend and colleague, Jim Jordan, is a patriot. He's an America-first warrior who wins the toughest of fights. Going after corruption and delivering accountability at the highest levels of government, on behalf of we the people. Jim is the voice of the American people who have felt voiceless for far too long. Whether as judiciary chair, conservative leader or representative for his constituents in west-central Ohio, whether on the wrestling mat or in the committee room, Jim Jordan is strategic, scrappy, tough and principled. He's a mentor, a worker and, above all, he's a fighter. And the American people know, we know that Jim Jordan is a winner on behalf of the American over 10 years ago many of us sat with Jim Jordan in this very chamber when prime minister Netanyahu delivered his historic address which some across the aisle shamefully boycotted. He pointed out we serve under the watchful gaze of Moses and he said, quote, overlooking all of us in this chamber is the image of Moses. And before the people entered the land of Israel, Moses gave us a mess thank is still our resolve for thousands of years, be strong and resolute, neither fear nor dread them. He went on to say, my friends, may Israel and America always stand together strong and resolute, may we not fear or dread the time ahead and may we face the future with confidence, strength and hope, end quote. On behalf of the American people, let's face the future with confidence, strength, and hope. Let's elect Jim Jordan our speaker of the people’s house for such a time as this, and I yield back.