Calls to empower Patrick McHenry get louder as Republicans again fail to pick a speaker

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) fell short for a second time in his quest for the speaker’s gavel Wednesday, with more of his GOP colleagues voting against him today than yesterday. The resilient opposition to his hardline candidacy is fueling new calls for a stopgap maneuver to get the House operational again.

The idea that has been put forth by both Democrats and Republicans in recent days would empower Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) with new…