Alford: ‘There were a lot of people who wanted Kevin McCarthy back. That is not happening;’ House still without speaker

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)

More than a week has passed since the House of Representatives has been without a Speaker.

After Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) won an initial secret vote -- according to the Associated Press and CNN -- against Rep. Austin Scott (R-Georgia) it came down to a second vote to make sure all the members of the Republican party were unified once they hit the House floor. 

That vote didn’t go nearly as smoothly with 55 members still holding out. 

“This presents a problem. we need unity in our party. We did not find that unity today and until we can get a significant number, around 200 at least," Rep. Mark Alford (R-Missouri) told ABC 17 News on Friday. "We need 217 votes to put Jim Jordan in that seat. We had several members, nine members, who aren't even here, who left without really telling anyone. we need them here.” 

According to Alford, the decision was made by Jordan and the speaker pro-tem Rep. Patrick Mchenry (R-North Carolina) to hold another conference meeting on Tuesday. 

"Now it’s going to be up to the honors system for these 55 individuals who have some sort of beef with Jim Jordan to come forward to talk it out," Alford said.

When asked if any members of the party regret the decision to oust former speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California), Alford acknowledged there may be some doubts creeping in for those who decided to vote him out. 

"I kind of get the sense from them and their demeanor in the room that yeah, maybe they are second-guessing their decision to fire the speaker of the house," Alford said. "There were a lot of people who wanted Kevin McCarthy back. That is not happening. Today, he once again turned down that opportunity."

Alford added that while this is a critical time to not have a speaker, he believes there is still hope for the United States. But he said that it's going to take a "little more time and talking."