House absences grow as GOP forces third speaker vote on Jordan

Two Republicans and four Democrats did not respond to the quorum call ahead of the third ballot for Rep. Jim Jordan’s (R-Ohio) speakership bid on Friday.

Republican Reps. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), who is in Israel, and Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) were absent.

One Democrat who was absent, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, is back in his district for a funeral. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (Va.) missed the attendance vote due to home treatments for her health issues, but her office said she'd be on the floor in time for the speaker vote itself.

Democratic Reps. Donald Payne (N.J.) and Adam Smith (Wash.) also didn't answer the attendance call, though Smith walked into the chamber shortly after the call concluded.