Jim Jordan to Step Down as House Judiciary Chair After This Congress, Won’t Seek Waiver

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said he will relinquish his role as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee after the current Congress and will not seek an exemption from the party's three-term limit for committee leaders, Politico reported. The 62-year-old lawmaker said he also does not plan to return to the House Oversight Committee, where he previously served as ranking member.

Jordan made the comments on the sidelines of the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, a gathering aimed at rallying the party ahead of the November elections. His decision is likely to fuel speculation about a future bid for House leadership if Republicans retain a narrow majority.

"No, I don't plan to do that,"

Jordan said when asked about returning to Oversight.

"There's other people who are very interested in Oversight."

Jordan could have asked the House Republican Steering Committee for a waiver from the conference's three-term limit for committee chairs and ranking members — a step some other GOP chairmen are expected to pursue. When asked why he would not seek a waiver to keep the Judiciary gavel, Jordan replied bluntly:

"I'm just not going to do it."

The decision leaves open questions about Jordan's next move should Republicans hold the House after the November elections. Jordan, who is running for an 11th term, unsuccessfully sought the speakership after Kevin McCarthy's ouster in 2023 and has not ruled out challenging Speaker Mike Johnson if the GOP remains in charge.

"I'm focused on one thing, one thing only, winning,"

Jordan said, adding a warning about Democratic policies:

"If the left wins, where they want to take the country is very, very scary."

Pressed on whether he might challenge Johnson, Jordan again emphasized his campaign work and efforts to help Republican candidates nationwide. "As I said, I'm focused on winning. We got to win," he said, noting he has visited many states to support colleagues and candidates.

The convention featured President Donald Trump as the headliner, who pledged a one-time $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retake both the House and Senate — a proposal that would require congressional approval and could cost more than $1 trillion. Party leaders also touted recent tax-and-spending measures and immigration proposals as part of their election messaging.

National polling indicates a tight race: The Hill and Decision Desk HQ national generic-ballot average showed Democrats at 46% and Republicans at 45.7%, essentially a statistical dead heat heading into the final stretch of the campaign.

Jordan said he does not object to colleagues seeking waivers to remain in leadership roles, noting such exemptions have been granted in the past and are decided "up to the conference and the steering committee." When asked whether he would remain in Congress without a committee chairmanship or a leadership post, Jordan pointed to his reelection effort:

"I'm going to go represent the people in the 4th District,"

he said. He closed with a lighter note about his convention plans:

"I got like three more interviews. And then I'm going to go sit down in that suite, and we've got to have some popcorn and watch the speeches. I think that's what's next for me."