Why House Democrats might not have to cooperate with Jim Jordan

Their cushy House majority is likely to eliminate the need for Republican support on key funding and rule votes. House Democrats are looking askance at Rep. Jim Jordan’s election as minority leader, given the Ohio Republican has few relationships across the aisle — but next year, they might not have to work with him much. Democrats are likely to put up bills at the beginning of next Congress that could draw some bipartisan support like a stock trading ban, but their cushy House majority is likely to eliminate the need for Republican support on key funding and rule votes. And the narrower House Republican minority will reduce the effectiveness of discharge petitions, which Democrats and a small bloc of Republicans used successfully this Congress to force votes. Republicans’ procedural hijinks on a veterans benefits bill this week won’t help cross-party ties: House Minority Whip Katherine Clark registered her objections with Republicans but was rebuffed about reversing course, though that courtesy has typically been extended to the House minority, according to a person familiar with the situation.