Granger pitches GOP budget chair for next speaker pick

A powerful committee chair who opposes Jim Jordan for speaker is pitching the idea of rallying behind a fellow Texas Republican for the gavel.

Kay Granger, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, has raised the idea of supporting a Lone Star member for speaker to other House Republicans: Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), according to two Republicans with direct knowledge.

But multiple GOP members from the delegation have already indicated they won’t support the idea, according to one of these Republicans.

A spokesperson for Granger did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Texas Republicans are expected to meet Friday morning, at Granger’s request. Granger is the dean of the delegation.

The pitch comes as many expect Jordan to soon withdraw from the speakership race, but not before he fails to win the necessary GOP votes on a third ballot. He spent Thursday night attempting to win over holdouts and prevent bleeding, although some Republicans expect that number to jump from 22 holdouts to as much as 30 on Friday.

Jordain Carney contributed.