Jim Jordan, US Representative for Ohio’s 4th congressional district, has been a powerful voice in the Republican party since being elected in 2007. Despite his forceful presence on the national stage, Jordan’s legislative record is surprisingly thin.
Jordan has been the key Republican supporter of President Trump on Capitol Hill. He has appeared regularly on national media outlets in order to defend the President, making him one of the most vocal and visible members of the House Republicans.
Despite his energetic support for the Trump Administration, Jordan has yet to produce any major legislation. He has introduced only three bills since his arrival to Congress. This is a remarkable feat, given that the average Congressman has sponsored 56 pieces of legislation in the same period.
Moreover, Jordan’s few proposed bills have not had much success. Two of his bills were referred to committee where it is unlikely further progress will be made. The third bill was passed by the House, but then failed to make it through the Senate.
Jordan’s lack of legislative impact has been noticed. Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy said “Jim is a great spokesman, but I don’t think he’s been an effective legislator”. This matches with what many experts say about Jordan: He is fiery and outspoken and heavily in favor of the President, but when it comes to legislating, he’s been surprisingly inactive.
Jim Jordan isn’t the only Congressman with a thin record of success. There are several others who share the same fate, yet they remain in Congress. Jordan’s continued inability to promote legislative change may lead to this to change in the upcoming years. However, until then, Jordan will remain a prominent political figure, a vocal Republican defender of President Trump, but with a remarkably thin legislative track record.