As House Republicans gear up for a pivotal floor vote this week on their Speaker nominee, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), there’s a cloud of uncertainty since Jordan, the current Judiciary Committee chairman, is significantly shy of the 217 votes required to secure the position.

Despite winning the nomination with a 124-81 victory over Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) last Friday, Jordan’s support wavered when it came to a floor commitment, garnering 152 votes out of the necessary 217. This shortfall hints at a potential repeat of the tumultuous four-day, 15-ballot ordeal that Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) experienced in his bid for Speaker in January.

Optimists within Jordan’s camp are speculating that a floor vote, which puts Republicans’ decisions on public display, might bolster his numbers. However, he faces stiff competition from Democrat Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who received unanimous backing from his party for the Speaker role.

In the midst of this, senators are preparing for a detailed briefing on the Israel-Gaza conflict, following Hamas’ recent attacks on Israel.

Despite the evident gap in Jordan’s support, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) has informed members to anticipate the week’s initial floor votes by Tuesday noon. This rush towards a vote, even with Jordan’s insufficient backing, has left some party members uneasy, keen to avoid a spectacle akin to McCarthy’s protracted battle.

The party’s decision to dismiss suggestions for a 217-vote prerequisite for nomination has only added to the complexity, evidenced when their first nominee, Steve Scalise (R-La.), withdrew upon realizing the lack of sufficient floor support.

Now, with staunch advocates pushing for an immediate floor vote and encouraging public support for Jordan, there’s a growing divide within the party. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) criticized this aggressive strategy on CNN, calling it counterproductive for Jordan’s candidacy.